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X
THE
Y S
O F
WILLIAM SHAKSPEARE.
\
VOLUME THE TWELFTH.
CORIOLANUS.
JULIUS CiESAR.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
LONDON:
Printed for T. Longman, B. Law and Son, C. Dill^y J. Robibn, J. Johnfiuiy
T. Vemor, G. G. J. and J. Robinibny T. Cadell, J. Murray, R. Baldwin^
H. L. Gardner, J. SewelJ, J. NicboUs, F. and C. Rivington, W. Goldfmith,
T. Payne, Jun. S. Hayet, R. Faulder, W. Lowndet, B. and J. White,
G. and T. Wilkie, J. and J. Taylor, Scatcherd and Whitaker, T. and Ji
Egerton, £. Newbery, J. Barker, J. Edwards, Ogilvy and Speare,
J. CuthcU, J. Lackington, J. Deigbton, and W. Miller.
U. DCC^XCIII*
t^
272678
CORIOLANUS*
Vol. XII.
3
• CoRioLANus.] This play I conjcdure to have been written
in the year 1 600- See An Attempt to a/certain the order of Sbai-^
Jptares plays ^ Vol. I.
It comprehends a period of about four yean, commencing i^ith
the feceffion to the Mons Sacer in the yeai^ of Rome 262* and end-
ing with the death of Coriolanus^ A. U. C. 266. Malone.
The whole hiftory is exaAIy followed, and many rf the principal
/peeches cxaftly copied from the Life of Coriolanus in Piutarch.
Pope*
B 2
Persons reprefented.
Caius Marcius CorioIanuSj a noble Roman.
Menenius Agrippa, friend to Coriolanus.
Sicinius Velutus,|y.^^ .//*. People.
Junius Brutus, J / ^
Toung Marcius, Son to Coriolanus.
A Roman Herald.
TuUus Aufidius, General of the Volfcians«
lieutenant to Aufidius.
Con/pirators with Aufidius.
A Citizen ^ Antium.
Two Volfcian Guards.
Volumnia, Mother to Coriolanus.
Virgilia, Wife to Coriolanus.
Valeria, Friend to Virgilia.
Gentlewoman^ attending Virgilia.
Roman tf»i/Volfcian Senators^ Patricians^' Mdiles^
LiHors^ Soldiers^ Citizens^ Mejfengers^ Servants to
Aufidius, and other Attendants.
SCE NE, partly in Rome ; and partly in the Ter^
ritories of the Volfcians and Antiates.
•••
CORIOLAN U: 5.
• • • •
•••••
ACT L SCENE !•
Rome. A Street.
Enter a Ctrnpany of mutinous Citizens^ with Jlaves,
clubs, and other weapons.
I. Cir. Before we proceed any further, hear me
fpeak.
Cir. Speak, fpeak. \feveral f peaking at once.
I. Cir. You are all refolv'd rather to die, than
to famifh?
Cir. RefoWd, refoWd.
I. Cir. Firft, you know, Caius Marcius is chief
enemy to the people.
Cir. We know't, we know't.
1. Cir. Let us kill him, and we'll have com at
our own price. Is't a verdidl ?
Cir. No more talking on't j let it be done : away,
away.
2. Cir. One word, good citizens.
I. Cir. We are accounted poor citizens; the
patricians, good : * What authority furfeits on, would
' I. Cit, Wt an acCQunUd^wxt citizent; the patricians, good :]
B3
6 C Q..k'I O L A N U S.
relieve us.;/ilf;.they would yield us but the fuper-
fluity, vhife it were wholefome, we might guefs,
they. reliej(7ed us humanely ; but they think, we arc
toq (fe^ : ' the leannefs diat aSlidbi us^ the objeA
. <l[f*bur mifery, is as an inventory to particularize
•*.;thfeir abundance ; our fufFerance is a gain to them.
'•;•.•/ — Let us revenge this with our pikes/ ere we be-
>/* come rakes : for the ^ods know, I fpeak this in
hunger for bread, not m thirft for revenge.
Good is here ufed in the mercantile fcnfc. So, Touchjlone in Eaftiuard
Hoe:
•« —««- known ^m/ men, well monted/' Fa&meji.
Again, in The Merdmwt of Venice :
" Antonio's a ^oo</ man." Malone.
' ■ ■ but they think. Hve art too dear :] TKey think that the
charge of maintaining us is more than we are worth. Joh nson.
^ Let us revenue this ivitb our pikes, ere mn become rakes :] It
was Shakfpcare's defign to make this fdlow qoihble all the way.
Qvt time, who has done greater tfaiiigs, has hare ftifled a miferahle
joke ; which was then the fame as if it had been now wrote. Let
mruo'w re*venge this tvith forks, ere loe become rakes : iov pikes then
fignified the fame "i^ forks do now. So Jewel iarkis own tranflation
•f hi» Apoiojp^ turns Cbrj^ianos ad fiircas condewuuire^ to — To con-
demn Cbriftlans to the pikes. But the Oxford editor, without
knowing any thing of this, has with great ftgacity found out the
joke, and reads on his own auithori^, pitA-farks. VVarburton.
It is plain that, in our authoc's time, we bad the proverb, as
lean as a rah. Of this proverb the original is obfcure. Rake now
^^ifics 2L dijolute man, a man worn out with difeafe and debauche-
i;^. But the itgaification is, I think, much nione modem than the
proverb. Reekel, in Idandick, is fiiid to mean a cur-^og, and this
was probably the firft ufe among us of the word rake ; a^ lean as
a rake is, therefore, as lean as a dog too worthless to be fed.
Johnson.
It may be fo : and yet I believe the ncoverb, as lean, as a rake^
owes its origin limply to the thin taper form of the inftrument made
ufe of by hay.makers. Chaucer has this (imile in his defcription
of the clerk* s horfe in the prologue to the Canterhuty TaLs, Mr.
Tyrwhitt's edit. v. 288 :
** As Icne was his hors as is a rake.^*
CORIOLANUSi I
1. Cm Would you proceed cfpecially againft
Caitis Marcius?
Or. Againfl: him firftj* he's a very dog to the
commonalty .
2. Or, Confider you what fcrviccs he has done
for his country ?
1. C/n Very well ; and could be content to give
him good report for*t^ but that he pays himfelf
with being proud*
2. CiT, Nay, but fpeak not maliciouny.
1, Cir. I fay unto you, what he hath done fa-
mouHy, he did it to that end : though foft-con-
fcicnc'd men can be content to fay, it was for his
country, he did it to pleafe his mother, and to be
partly proud i which he is/ even to the altitude^ of
his virtue. ^
2, Ctr. What he cannot help in his nature, you
account a vice in him ; You muft in no way fay,
he is covetous*
I. CiT. If I muft not, I need not be barren of
Spenfer introduces it in the fecond book of hb Fatty ^e^t
Gartto 11 ;
*' Hii body lean and meagre m a rsh^**
At 9hm at a *wifrfpmg*poJl, h another proverb of the fame Idndb
St^^huTft, in his tranflation of the third book of ^/Vj//* t^Bz,
dcfcribiiig Aehxmenides, fays i
•* A meigre lenne raJ^" Sec,
This paflage, however, feems to countenance Dr, fohiifoii'i
fappofitiun ; as alfo does the following from Churchyarat Tmg^
iall Dijimtje ^f thf haplrffe madt lift, i jgj :
" And though tff ieane ai mh in every rib," Steeveni*
^ Cit. ^gaittfi himfifft \ &c-j Thi3 fpeccH is ia the old play, ai
here, gtven to a body of the Citizens fpeaking at once, 1 believe,
k ongnt to be afligncd to the firft citiax:n, M alone.
^ /ff iht aliUidf 1 So, in King Ihnrj VIH*
" Hc^s traitor fc ihi httgitij* Stesvsk**
B 4
i CORIOLANUS,
accufations ; he hath faults, with furplus, to tire in
repetition. fSbouis wiihin.'} What fhouts arcthefc?
The other fide o'the city is rifcn: Why ftay we
prating here ? to the Capitol,
CiT. Come, come-
!• CiT, Soft I who comes here?
Enier Menenius Agrippa.
2. CiT. Worthy Menenius Agrippa; one that
hath always loved the people.
!• Cir. He's one honeft enoughs 'Would, ali
the reft were fo ! ^1
Mbn. What work's, my countrymen, in hand?
Where go you
With bats and clubs? The matter? Speak, I pray
you.
I. Cir, Our bufinefs^ is not unknown to the fe-
nate; they have had inkling, this fortnight, what
we intend to do, which now we'll fhow *em in
deeds. They fay, poor fuitors have ftrong breaths;
they Ihall know, we have ftrong arms too.
Men* Why, mafters, my good friends, mine ho-
neft neighbours.
Will you undo yourfelves ?
I. CiT* We cannot, fir, we are undone already.
Men. I tell you, friends, moft charitable care
Have the patricians of you. For your wants.
Your fuffering in this dearth, you may as well
^ Our hufintfi &c,] This and all the fubfcqueai plebeian fpecches
inthis fcenc are given in the old copy .to the yS-r^W citizen. But,
the dialogue at the opening of the play ftiews that it tnuft have
been a milbke, and that Svey ought to be attriburcd to the firft
citizen* The fccond is lathct friendly to Caiiolanus* MikLpi?* ^
CORIOLANUa f
Strike at the heaven with your ftaves^ as lift them
Againft the Roman ftate ; whofe courfe will on
The way it takes, cracking ten thoufand curbs
Of more ftrong link afunder, than can ev^cr
Appear in your impediment :* For the dearth.
The gods> not the patricians, make it; and
Your knees to them, not arms, muft help. Alack,
You are tranfported by calamity
Thither where more attends you ; and you flander
The helms o'the ftate, who care for you like fathers.
When you curfc them as enemies,
I. C/r. Care for us! — True, indeed! — They
iie*er car'd for us yet. SutFer us to famifli, and
their ftore-houfes cramm'd with grain ; make edifts
for ufury, to fupport ufurers : repeal daily any
wholefome atft eftablifhed againft the rich; and
provide more piercing ftatutes daily, to chain up
and reft rain the poor. If the wars eat us not up,
they will i and there's all the love they bear us.
Mbv, Either you muft
Confcfs yourfelves wondrous malicious.
Or be accus'd of folly, I ftiall tell you
A pretty talc ; it may be, you have heard it|
Bur, fince it ferves my purpofe, I will venture
To fcalc 't a little more**
• crsckmg tm fhonfawd cnrh
Of tmrefirmg Imk afutidir^ $han can f*vwr
Appmr m j^t imptiiment i^ So, in Otktiia:
** I have made my tt-ay through more ImpediniCQU
*• Than twenty times your ftop," Maloni.
7% Tcale *t ^ if tile m&rr*] To fcal^ is to di/pir/f^ The word Ik
Ml ufed in the North. The fenfc of the old reading is, Thgugh
ibrae of you have heard the ftory, I will fpttad it yci wider, and
difufe it among the reft*
A mcafurc of wine fpitt, is called — *^ a fettled pottJe of wine*'
in Decker'i comedy of Tj6^ H^jieft W^harc, 1604* So, ia The
lo C O R I OL A N VS.
1. Cir. Well, ril hear it, fir: yet vou muft ikK
thinik to fob off our difgrace with a tale : * but, an*t
pleaie you, deliver.
Men. There was a time, when all the body'j
members
Rebeird againfl the belly ; thus accused it :— •
That only like a gulf it did remain
I' the midft'o' the body, idle and una<^iyc.
Still cupboarding the viand, never bearing
Like labour with the reft ; where the other inftnu
ments^
HMorte 9f Cfyomoftt Kn^ht of the GoUen SMeU, &cw a play pi^
li&ed in ic^ :
*' The hugie heapes of care^ tbat lodged in my minde*
** Are fialed from their neftttngrplace, and pleafares paf«
iage find." ^
Again, in Deocer's Hoaefi Whore » already qvotcd ;
" Cutoffhisbeard.r-^
«• Fye, iyt ; idle, idle ; he's no Frenchman, to fret at the lofc
of a littley?<f/V hair." In the North rhcy {zyfcale the com, i. c.
fcatter it : fcaU the muck well, i, e. fpread the dung well. The
two foregoing inftances are taken from Mr. Lamfae's notes on the
old metrical hiftory of Floddon Field.
Again, Holwfied, Vol. II. p. 490, fpeaktng of the retreat of
the Welchmen during die ahfence of Richard II. (ays : '* — <they
would no longer abide, hMt/caUdzxiA doparted away." So a^n«
p. 530: •* — whereupon their troopsy2-tf/r</, andied their waies.**-
In the learned Ruddiman's Gloilary to Gawin Douglas's Tranf*
lation of ^Vr^'/, the foUowine account of the word is given.
Skaily Jkale^ \q fcatter ^ XQ fpread ^ perhaps from the Fr. efche*veUr^
Ital. fcafigliarc^ crincs paflbs, feu fparios habere. All from the
lifttin capillus. Thus efcbefoeUr, fchevely Jkail\ but of a more
general fignification. See Vol. IV. p. 292, n.2. SrEBVEifs.
Theobald reaAs^-ftale it. M a lo it e .
* — difgrace ^with a tale :] D if graces are hard/hips. Injuries.
Johnson,
^ — where the other inflruments — ] Where for *whereeu.
JoHNSpj^7•
We meet with the fame expreffion in The Winter^ Tale^ VoL,
VII. p. 59, n. 6 :
** As you feel, doing thus, and fee withal »^ w
** The inftruments tliat fieU** MaLons. ' "
COR I ox. A N U S. II
Did feci and hear, dcvife, inftrudk, walk, feel^
And, mutually participate,* did minifter
Unto the appetite and aifedion common
Of the whole body. The belly anfwered, —
I. Cir. Well, fir, what anfwer made the belly ?
Men. SIf, I (hall tell you. — With a kind of fmilc.
Which ne'er came from the lungs,^ but even thus,
(For, look you, I may make the belly fmile,^
As well as fpeak,) it tauntingly reply'd
To the difcontented members, the mutinous parts
That envy'd his receipt ; even fo moft fitly ^
As you malign our fenators, for that
They are not fuch as you.*
I. Cir. Your belly's anfwer: What!
The kingly-crowned head, the vigilant eye.
The counsellor heart,^ the arm our foldier.
Our ftced the leg, the tongue our trumpeter.
With other muniments and petty helps
In this our fabrick, if that they —
Men. What then ? —
Malonb,
5 Which ne*er came from the lungs ^ With a fmilc not indicating
{deafure, but contempt. Johnson.
6 . 1 may make the beliy fmilc,] '* And fo the belly, all this
notwithftanding, laughed at their io^y^ and fayed," &c. North's
TranHation of Plutarch, p. 240, edit. 1579. Malone.
7 eveufo moft fitly ] i, e. cxaftly. WARBURTOjr.
• They art not fuch as youJ\ I fuppofe we (hould read — They an
not as you. So, in St. Luke, xviii. 11." God, I thank thee, I am
not as this publican." The pronoun— ^^i6^ only diforders the mea-
fure. Steevens.
9 The cam/ellor hearty"] The heart was anciently eftccmcd the
feat of pradence* Homo cordatus is a prudent man* JoH nson.
The heart was confiJcred by Shakfpeare a:} the feat of thcuwry^'r-
JlatiSng. See the next note. M a lom e.
7 *
12 CORlOLANirS.
•Fore mc, this fellow fpeaks ! — ^what then ? what
then?
I . Cir. Should by the cormorant belly be re-
ftrain'd,
Who is the fink o' the body, —
Mbn. Well, what then ?
^ I. Cit. The former agents, if they did com^
plain.
What could the belly anfwer ?
Men. I will tell you;
If you'll beftow a fmall (of what you have little,)
Patience, a while, you'll hear the belly's anfwer.
I. Cir. You are long about it.
Men. Note me this, good friend ;
Your moft grave belly was deliberate.
Not rafh like his accufers, and thus anfwer'd.
T'rue is it, my incorporate friends, quoth he,
That I receive the general food at firji.
Which yoH do live upon: and fit it is;
Becaufe I am the ftore-houfe, and thejhop
Of the whole body : But if you do remember,
I fend it through the rivers of your blood.
Even to the court, the heart, — to the feat o* the brain ;^
9 ■ to the feat o' the brain \] fecms to me a very languid
cxpreiTion. I believe we ihould read» with the omiilioa of a par-
ticle :
Even to the court, the heart, to the feat^ the brain.
He Mit^feat for throne, the royal feat ^ which the firft editors pro-
bably not apprehending, corrupted the palTage. It is thus ufed in
Richard II. Ad IIL fc. iv :
** Yea, diftaff- women manage rufty biDs
" Aeainft xhy feat."
It Ihould be obferved too, that one of the Citizens had juft before
chara^rifed thefe principal parts of the human fabrick by iimiUr
metaphors:
'* The kingly-crowned head, the vigilant eye,
«« The counfeUor htartr^'^J* TYawaixx.
CORIOLANUS.
»3
And^ ihrougb the cranks and offices of man ^^
7b€ftmngtjl nerves, and/mall inferior veins^
JFrem me receive thai natural competency
iVberety tbty live : And though that all at once^
Tm^ my good friends^ (this fays the belly J mark
me^^ —
I hive too great refpeft for even the cotijeflures of my refpc^ablc
toil very judicious friend, to fupprcfs his note, though it apfpesirs
to me erroneoiiSp In the prefr nt inftance T have not the fmalleft
doubt, being clearly of opinion that the text is right, Bram is
heit ufed for rtafijt or underftanding, Shakfpeare feems to have
lud Camden as well as Plutarch before him ; the former of whom
bas told 3 fimilar ftory in his Rfmmns^ 1 605 ^ and has liken ifc made
the heart ih^fiai of the braift^ or nndcrftanding : •* Hereupon they
all agreed to pine away thtir lafie and publilte enemy- One dny
ixailea over, the fecond followed very tedious, bat the third day
wn To grievous to them, that they called a common coujifeL The
eyes waxed dimme, the feete could not fupport ihe body, the arraes
waxed lazic^ the tongue faltered, and could not lay open the mai-
va* Thcfcfofc they all with one accord dcfired the adwe of the
%tmri* Thrrt Reason laid open before them,** ^^c, Rtmams^ p,
1 09- See Am Jltemfi ia afcirtum tht order g/ Shak/^tari^^i ptaj'.
Vol* I» in which a circumftance is noticed, that fbews our author
bid read Camden as well as Plutarch*
1 agree, however, entirely with Mr, Tyrwhitt, in thinking that
/tat means here the r^al feat, the throne^ The /enf of the Iraift, is
put in oppofvtion with thehfart^ and is defcriptivc of it* *' I fend
It, (£iy5 ihe belly,) through the blood, even to the r^y^l refidence^
ibe kemrtt in which the kingly-crowned anderflanditjg Jitt en-
ihnfvtd*
So, in King Hmfy FL ?. II :
*• The rightful heir to England's royal /-^^^
In like manner in Twelfth Nighty our author has ereded the
$hw9m of love in the htsrt ;
"It gives a very echo to ^tjtat
" Where love is /j&roffr^p'*
Agitti, in OtheilQ :
" Yield up, O love, thy crown and hearted throne*'**
Sec alfo a paffage b King Henry F, where feat is ufcd in the
fame foife as here ; VoL ix! p. 299, n. 9, M alone,
tl>e cranks and ^£ites of manil ^f^ftks arc the raeaadrous
dudsofthchumdu body* Steevehs^
14 C Q R I a L A N U S.
I. C/r. Ay, fir; well, well.
Men. Tbmgb all at once cannot
See what I do deliver out to each ;
Tet I can make my audit up^ that all
From me do hack receive the flower of all ^
And leave me but the bran. What fay you to*t ?
I . Cvc. It was an anfwer : How apply you this ?
Affijy. The fenators of Rome arc this good belly.
And you the mutinous members : For examine
Their counfels. and their cares; digeft things
rightly.
Touching the weal o' the common; you (hall find.
No publick benefit, which you receive,.
But it proceeds, or comes, from them to you.
And no way from yourfelves. — What do you think ?
You, the great toe of this affembly ? —
I. Cir. I the great toe ? Why the great toe ?
MfAT. For that being one o* the loweft, bafeft,
pooreft.
Of this mofl: wife rebellion, thou go'fl: foremoft: :
Thou rafcal, that art worft in blood, to run
Lead'ft firft, to win fomc vantage,^ —
Cranks are ivinditigs. So, in Fenus and Adonis :
'< He cranks and erodes, with a thoafand doubles/'
Malonk.
3 Thou rafcal^ that art tworft in bloody to run
Lead ft firft ^ to nuim/omt ^Vantage,] I think, wc may better
read, by an eafy change.
Thou rafcal that art <worft in blood, to ruin
Lead ft firft, to tvin &ۥ
Thou that art the meaneft by birth, art the foremoft to lead thy
fellows to ruin, in hope of fome advantage. The meaninz, how-
ever, is perhaps only this. Thou that art a hound, or running dog
of the loweft breed, lead 'ft the pack, when any thing is to be got-
ten. Johnson.
Worft in blood may be the true reading. In King Henrj VL P. I :
" If we be Englifti deer, be then in blood,**
i. e. high fpirits, in vigour.
C O R I O L A N U S. 15
But m^e you ready your (liflf bats and clubs ;
Rctfne and her rats are at the point of battle^
The one fide muft have bale/ — Hail, noble Mar-
cius!
Enter Caius Marcius.
Mar. Thanks.-^What's the matter, you diflen^^
tious rogues.
That rubbing the poor itch of your opinion.
Make yourfelves (cabs ?
Again, in this play of Cerislamis, Ad IV. ic. v. *• But when
they fhall fee his creii up again, and the man in bloody" Sec.
Mr. M. Mafon judicioufly obferves that 6iood, in all thefe paf-
fagcs, b applied to deer^ for a lean deer is called a rafcal ; and that
•• worft in blood," is lei^fi in <vigour. Steev£ns.
Both rafcal and in blood are terms of the foreft. Rafcal meant a
lean deer, and is here ufed equivocally. The phrafe in blvod has
been proved in a former note to be a phrafe of the foreft. See
Vol. IX. p. 620, n. 2.
Our auinor feldom is careful that his comparifons (hould anfwer
on both ^d£&. He feems to mean heie, thou, worthleis fcoundrel,
though, like a deer not in blood, thou art in the worft condition
for running of all the herd of plebeians, takeft the lead in thb tu-
mult, in order to obtain fome private advantage to yourfelf. What
advantage the foremoft of a herd of deer could obtain, is not eafy
to point out, nor did Shakfpeai^^ I believe, confider. Perhaps
indeed he only ufes rafcal in its ordinary fenfe. So afterwards —
" From rafiaU worfe than they.**
Dr. Jdinfon's interpretation appears to me inadmiffible ; as the
term, though it is applicable botn in its original and metaphorical
fenfe to a roan, cannot, I think, be applied to a dog; nor have I
found any inftance of the term in blood being applied to the canine
fpecies. Ma lone.
4 Tbe one fide mufi have bale.] Bale is an old Saxon word, for
mifery or calamity :
" For light ftie hated as the deadly bale'*
Spenfer^s Faery ^^en^
Mr. M. Mafon obferves that ** bale, as well as bane, fignified
p5ifo*t in bhakfpeare's days. Stkevens.
This word was antiquated in Shakfpeare's time, being marked
as obfolete by Bullokar, \si)m Engiijb Expofiior, i6i6. Malone,
j6 C O R I O L a N U S.
I. Cir. Wc have ever your good word*
Mar. He that will give good words to thee^ will
flatter
Beneath abhorring. — What would you have, you
curs.
That like nor peace, nor war ? the one affrights you^
The other makes you proud.* He that trufts to you.
Where he Ihould find you lions, finds you hares ;
Where foxes, geefe : You are no furer, no.
Than is the coal of fire upon the ice.
Or hailftone in the fun. Your virtue is.
To make him worthy, whofe offence fubdues him.
And curfe that juftice did it/ Who deferves great**
nefs,
Deferves your hate : and your affedlions are
A fick man's appetite, who defires moft that
Which would increafe his evil. He that depends
Upon your favours, fwims with fins of lead.
And hews down oaks with rufhes. Hang ye! Truft
ye?
With every minute you do change a mind 5
And call him noble, that was now your hate.
Him vile, that was your garland. What's the
matter.
That in thefe feveral places of the city
You cry againft the noble fenate, who.
Under the gods, keep you in awe, which elfe
* That like nor peacf^ nor nvar f the one affrights jou.
The other makes you proud.] Coriolanus docs not ufe thcfe two
fentences confequentially, but firft reproaches them with unfteadinefi,
then with their other occafional vices. Johnson.
^ Tour *uirtue is.
To make him ^worthy, fmhofe offence fubdnes him.
And curfe that juftice did //,] i. c. Your virtue is to fpcak well
of him whom his own offences have fubjefted to juftice ; and to rail
at thofe laws by which he whom you praife was punilhed.
Stesyems.
CORIOLANUS.
»7
Would feed on one another ? — What's their fcck-
ing
»i
^^Lftf£.v. For corn at their own rates ; whereof, they
^ fay.
f The city is well ftor*d.
Mar, Hang 'em ! They fay ?
kThcyUl fit by the fire, and prefiime to know
What's done i' the Capitol : who's like to rife,
Who thrives, and who declines : ® fide fatftions, and
L give out
I Conjectural marriages ; niaking parties ftrong,
I AbcI feebling fuch as ftand not in their liking,
■ Below their cobbled fhoes. They fay, there's grain
enough?
ft Would the nobility lay afide their ruth,^
■ And let mc ufe my fword, Pd make a quarry
With thoufands' of thefc quartered flaves, as high
7 What* t ihtif fifkmgf} Snking is here nfed fubftantively,--*
ThcanTwerk, *' Their feeking, ot/uif^ (to ufe the language of
tlic linte,} is f§r corn/' Malone«
* nA^has like t& rife^
Who thrives, flj»</ ^a ieclittes .*] The words — mfh^ thrhuet^
iH»hkh dcflroy the metre, appe^^ to be ftn evident and tallelefs in-*
tcfpobtion* They are omiitcd by Sir T. Hanmcr, St e b v e n s .
^ --^/Afir ruth,) i. e* their pity, compaflion, Fairfax and
Spenfcr often ufe the word. Hence the adjc^ive — m/^lefs, which
15 fti 11 CO rrent- S t e e v b n s .
* . ' /V mail a quarry
With ih^vfandi ■ ^ ] ^%y a quarry ? I fuppofc, not becaufe
fee would pile them fquare, but becaufc he would give thctn for
€« rrion to the birds of p rey , Johnson,
Si»* in Thr Mirachi of Mnjti, by Dray Ion ;
** And like a fmrr^ call ihera on ihc !and/*
SceVoI.VIL p* 54-0* 11,7, Steevins.
The word fjs^^rry occurs in Machtth^ where Rofs fays to Macduff,
" to iUte the tnanner,
** Were on the qtmrrj of thefe murdcr'd deer
** To add the death of you/'
Vol,. XII. C
18 CO R I O L A N U S.
As I could pick my lance.*
Men. Nay, thefe are almoll thoroughly perfua-
ded;
For though abundantly they lack difcretion,
Yet are they paffing cowardly. But, I befeech you.
What fays the other troop ?
Mar. They are diflblv'd : Hang 'em !
They faid, they were an-hungry; figh'd form pro-
verbs ; —
That, hunger broke ftone walls ; that, dogs mull
eat;
That, meat was made for mouths; that, the gods
fent not
In a note on this laft pdAage> Steevens aflerts^ diat gtuirfy meam.
game purfucd or killed^ and fupports that opinion by a paflagc in
Maffinger's Guardian i and froni thence I (uppofe the word waa
ufed to exprefs a heap of flaughtered perfons.
In the concluding fcene oi Hamlet ^ when Fortinbras fees fo many
lying dead, he fays
" This^^tfrrjr cries, on havock !**
and in the laft (ccne oi A Wife for a Month, Valerio, in defcribing
hit own fiditious battle with the Turks, fays
" I faw the child of honour, for he was young,
'' Deal fuch an alms among the fpiteful Pagans,
'' And round about his reach, invade the Turict,
" Hehadintrench'dhimfeifinhisdead^irtfiTw/'
M. Mason.
Ballokar in his EugUJh Exfojttor^ 8vo. 1 6i 6, fays that ** a ^mrty
amone hunters fignifieth the reward given to hounds after they have
hunted, or the venifon which is taken by hunting." This fuffi*
ciently explains the word of Coriolanus. M a l o n a.
» pick my /once,] And fo the word [/itch] is ftill pro^
Bounced in Sta£Fbrd(hirc, where they fay — ^icie me fach a thing,
that is, fitch or throw any thing that the demandcr wants. Tollbt.
So, in Jfi Accotmt of auntitnt cuftomes and games. Sec. Mfs. HarU
2057, fol. 10. b.
•* To wrcftle, play at ftrolc-ball, [ftool-ball] or to runne,
«• To ficke the barrc, or to fhoot off a gun."
The word is again ufcd in King Henty VII L with only a flight
variation in the fpelling : " I'll peck you o'er the palci cllc.'* 55cc
Vol* XL p. 199, n. 9* Malons.
C O R I O L A N U S. X9
Com for the rich men only : — With thcfe fhreds
They vented their complainings ; which being an-
fwer'd.
And a petition granted them, a ftrange one,
(To break the heart of generofity,*
And make bold power look pale,) they threw their
caps
As they would hang them on the horns o'the moon/
Shouting their emulation.^
Men. What is granted them ?
Mar. Five tribunes, to defend their vulgar wif-
doms.
Of their own choice : One's Junius Brutus,
Sicinius Velutus, and I know not — 's death !
The rabble fhould have lirft unroof'd the city,*
Ere fo prevailed with me: it will in time
^ the heart of gcncrofity,] To give the final blow to the
woblesm Generofitj is high births Johnson.
So, in Meafurefor Meafure :
" The generous and graveft citizens — •"
Sec VoUIV. p. 354, n. 5. Stebvens.
* ■ hing them on the boms 0* the mo<m^ So, in Antmr^ and
Cleopatra :
" Let me lodge Lichas on the horns o' the moon.*'
SrCEVKNt*
' Shouting their emulation. ] Each of them ftriving to fhont louder
than the reft. Malon e.
Emulation f in the prefent inftance, I believe, ^^\&esfaSion. Shouts
ing their emulation, may mean, exprejfing the triumph of their faSifM.
fyjbouts.
Emulation, in our author, is fomctimes ufed in an unfavourable
ienfc, and not to imply an honeft conteft for fuperiour excellence.
Thus in King Henry VI. P. I :
«* the truft of England's honour
•' Keep off aloof with worthlcfs emulation.**
Again, in Troilus and Creffida :
•* While emulation in the army crept."
i. e. faction. Steevbns.
* ■ onroofd the citj,'] Old Copy — unroofl. Corrcflcd by
Mr. Rowe. Malonb.
C 2
ao CO R I O L A N U S.
Win Hpon power, and throw forth greater them^i
For iniurredtion's arguing/
Men. This is ftrange.
Mar. Go, get you home, you fragments !
Enter a Meflenger,
Mes. Where's Caius Marcius ?
Mar. Here: What's the matter ?
Mes. The news is, fir, the Voices are in arms.
Mar. I am glad on't ; then we Ihall have means
to vent
Our mufty fuperfluity : — See, our beft elders.
Enter Cominius, Titus Lartius, and other
Senators; Junius Brutus, /7»i Sicinius Ve-
LUTUS.
I. Sen. Marcius, 'tis true, that you have lately
told us ;
The Voices are in arms.''
Mar. They have a leader^
TuUus Aufidius, that will put you to't.
I fin in envying his nobility :
And were I any thing but what I am^
I would wifti me only he.
Com. You have fought together.
Mar. Were half to half the world by the ears,
and he
• For infurre£lion s arguing^ For inforgents to debate upon.
Malone.
^ — — *tis trfte, that you have lately told us ;
The Voices are in arms.] Coriolanus had been juft told himfolf
that the Volets nvere ht arms. The meaning is, ^e intelligence
luhicb you ga*ve us fome little time ag9 of the defigns of the Voice ^ is
ficw venfied; thy are in arms. Joh NBON.
CORIOLANUS, 2r
Upon my party, Fd revolt, to make
Only my wars with him : he is a lion
Thsut I am proud to hunt.
I. Sen. ^ Then, worthy Marcius,
Attend upon Cominius to thefe wars.
Com. It is your former promife.
MjiR. Sir, it is ;
And I am conftant.' — Titus Lartius, thou
Shalt fee me once more ftrike at TuUus' face :
What, art thou ftifF? ftand'ft out?
Tit. No, Caius Marcius ;
ril lean upon one crutch, and fight with the other.
Ere ftay behind this bufinefs.
Men. O, true bred !
I. Sen. Your company to the Capitol; where, I
know.
Our greateft friends attend us.
Tit. Lead you on : —
Follow, Cominius ; we muft follow you ;
Right worthy you priority.*
Com. Noble Lartius ! '
I. Sen. Hence ! To your homes, be gone.
[To the Citizens.
Mar. Nay, let them follow :
The Voices have much corn ; take thefe rats thither,
9 conftant.'\ i. e. immoveable in my refoludon. So, in
Julius Cafar:
" Bat I am confiant as the northern flar." Steevens.
* Right 'worthy you priority.} You hdug right worthy of prece-
dence. Malonb.
Mr. M. Mafon would read— ^^ivr priority. Steevens,
i Noble Lartius !] Old Copy^Martius. Correded by Mr. Theo-
bald. I am not fare that the emendation is neceflary. Perhaps
lartiiis in the latter part of the preceding fpeech addreflea Mareius.
MALonu
C3
2z CORIOLANUS.
To gnaw their garners : — Worftiipfiil mutineers^
Your valour puts well forth : * pray, follow.
[^Exeunt Senators, Com. Mar. Tit. /i^i^Menex*
Citizens Jieal away.
Sic. Was ever man fo proud as is this Marcius ?
Bru. He has no equal.
Sic. When we were chofen tribunes for the peo-
ple,—
Bru. Mark'd you his lip, and eyes ?
Sic. Nay, but his taunts.
Bru. Being mov'd, he will not fpare to gird * the
gods.
Sic. Be-mock the modeft moon.
Bru. The prefent wars devour him : he is growa
Too proud to be fo valiant.*
* Your valour puis 'Well forth :^ That is. You have in this mu-
tiny (hown fair bloflbms of valour. Johnson.
So, in King Henry VIII :
" — To-day he /«// /or/A
«* The tender leaves of hope, to-morrow bloffoms,*' &c.
Malone.
^ ■ to gird ] To fneer^ to gihe. So Falftaff ofes the
Roun, when he fays, rvrry man has a gird at me. Johnson.
Again, in The Taming of a Shre*w :
" I thank thee for that^/W, good Tranio.*'
Many inftances of the o(e of uiis word, might be added.
Stebvens.
To gird, as an anonymous correfpondcnt obfer\'cs to me, ** in
fome parts of England means to pvjb *uehemetiily. So, when a ram
pufhes at any thme with his head, they fay he girds at it." To
^/></ likewife fignifaed, to pluck or twinge. Hence probably it
was metaphorically ufed in the fenfc of to taunt, or annoy by a
^roi^ of farcafm. Cotgrave makes ^iW, xr/^, and fwinge, fynony-
mous. Malone.
* Tife prefent *wars devour him : he is grown
Too proud to be fo valiant.'] Mr. Theobald fays. This is obfcurtfy
exprejfed, but that the poet's meaning muil certainly he, that Marcius
,isfo conjcious of and fo elate upon the nation of his o<wh valour, thai
CORIOLANUS. 23
Sic. Such a nature.
Tickled with good fuccefs^ difdains the fhadow
Which he treads on at noon : But I do wonder^
His infolence can brook to be commanded
Under Cominius.
Bru. Fame, at the which he aims, —
In whom already he is well grac'd, — ^rannot
Better be held, nor more attained, than by
A place below the firft : for what mifcarries
Shall be the general's fault, though he perform
To the utmoft of a man ; and giddy cenfure
ift is eaten up nuith pride, &c. According to this critick then« we
amft conclade, that when Shakfpeare had a mind to fay, A man
noas eaten up 'with pride, he was fo great a blunderer in expreffion,
as to fay. He ivas eaten up nuith *war. But our poet wrote at ano*
thcr rate, and the blunder is his critick's. The pre/ent nuars de^uour
him, is an imprecation, and (honld be fo pointed. As much as to
fay« Majf he fall in tho/e lAmrs ! The reafon of the curie is fubjoin-
cd, for (fays the fpcaker) having fo much pride with fo much va-
loar, his life, with inereafe of honours, is dangerous to the repub-
lick. Warburton.
I am by no means convinced that Dr. Warburton's punftuation,
or explanation, is right. The fenfe may be, that the pre/ent <wars
annihilate his rentier qualities. To eat up, and confequently to
drvour, has this meaning. So, in the fecond part of Kinr Henry
jy. AaiV. fciv:
•* But thou [the crown] moil fine, mod honoured, moft
renown'd,
" Hafi eat thy hearer up**
To be eat up nnith pride, is ilill a phrafe in conmion and vulgar
ufc.
He is grown too proud to be fo valiant, may fignify, his pride it
fuch as not to defcrve the aecompanyment of fo much valour.
Stbevens*
I concur with Mr. Steevens. •* The prefent wars," Shakf^are
•fes to exprefs the pride of Coriolanus grounded on his mUitary
prowefs ; which kind of pride Brutus fays devours him* So, in
Troilus and Crefflda, Aft II. fc. iii :
" — He that's proud, eats up himfel£"
Feriiaps the meaning of the latter member of the fentcnce is^
•^ he is gr^wil too proud of being fo valiant, to be endured/*
MaLOSB.
C4
24 C O R I O L A N U S,
Will then cry out of Marcius, O, if be
Had borne the bufinefs !
Sic. Befides, if things go wtU,
Opinion, that fb fticks on Marcius, (hail
Of his demerits rob Cominius.*
Bru. Come;
Half all Cominius* honours are to Marcius,
Though Marcius eam*d them not; and all hi«
faults
To Marcius Ihall be honours, though, indeed.
In aught he merit not.
Sic. Let's hence, and hear
How, the defpatch is made ; and in what falhion^
More than his Angularity,* he goes
Upon this prefent adion.
Bru. Let's along. [^Exeuni.
^ Of hit demerits rob Cof/tim'us.] Merits and Demerits had anci*
ciitly the fame meaning : So, in Othello ;
•' and my demerits
" May fpeak," &c.
Again, in Stowe's Chronicle, cardinal Wolfcy fays to his fer-
rants, ** — I have not promoted, preferred, and advanced you
all according to your detnerits." Again, in P. Holland's tranflation
aiFlinys Epijile to T. Fe/fafian, i6oo : " — his demerit had been
the greater to have continued his ftory." Steevens.
Again, in Hall's Chronicle ^ Henry VI. fol, 69. ** — this noble
prince, for his demerits called the good duke of Glouccfter, — ♦**
Malonb*
^' More than bis Jiugularity, &c.] We will learn what he b to
do, befides going him/elf i what are his powers, and what is his
appointment. Joh k so n.
Perhaps, the word fingulariiy implies a farcafm on Coriolanus,
and the fpeaker means to fay — after what fafhion, bejide that in
^tvjkich his o^'n Angularity of difpojttion itrvejis him^ he goes into the
field. Sc, in T^Melftk-Nigh: : •• Put tliyfelf into the trick ofjtngu^
larity.** ^teevsns.
CORIOLANUS, 25
S C E N E II.
Corioli. The Senate^Hou/e.
Enter Tullus Auripius^ and certain Senators.
!• Sen. So, your opinion h\ Aufidius,
That they of Rome are enter'd in our counfels.
And know how we proceed,
Avf. Is it not yours ?
What ever hath been thought on ' in this (late.
That could be brought to bodily adl ere Rome
Had circumvention ? 'Tis not four days gone/
Since I heard thence ; thefe are the words 2 I think,
I have the letter here ; yes, here it is : [reads*
They have pre/s^d a power ^ but it is not known
JVbetberfor eafty or weft : The >deartb is great ;
The people mutinous : and it is rumour^ d^
Cominius, M^,rcius your old enemy,
' — hath B^tt thought on — ] Old copy — have. Com&cd
by the fecond folio. S t e e v e ns.
• — *Tis not four days gone,] i. c. four days pqft,
Stebvcns#
9 They biyve prefs'd a fowfr,"] Thus the modern editors. The
old copy reads — They have /r^ a power ; which may fignify have
a power reaify ; from frrt. Ft, So, in The Merchant of Fenke :
** And I am preft unto it."
See note on this pafTage Ad I. fc. i* Stbevbns.
The fpelling of the old copy proves nothing, for participles were
ecncrally fo /pelt in Shakfpearc's time : fo diftrejt, hleft. Sec. I
believe frefs*d in its ufual fenfc is right. It appears to have been
ofcd in Shakibearc's time in the fcnfe oiimprefsd. So, in Plutarch's
life of Coriolanus, tranflatcd by Sir T. North, 1579 : " — tho
common people — ^would not appeare when the con(uls called their
names by a bill, to prejs them for the warrcs.'* Again, in King
Henry VI. P. Ill :
'« From London by the king was I prefid forth."
MALONt*
a6 C O R I O L A N U S.
(fVbo is of Rome worje hated than of you J
And Titus Lartius^ a moji valiant Roman^
^hefe three lead on this preparation
Whither 'tis bent : moJi likely^ *tis for you :
Conftderof it.
1. Sev. Our army's in the field :
We never yet made doubt but Rome was ready
To anfwer us.
AvB. Nor did you think it folly.
To keep your great pretences veil'd, till when
They needs muft ftiow themfclves ; which in the
hatching.
It fcem*d, appeared to Rome. By the difcovery.
We fhall be fhorten'd in our aim ; which was.
To take in many towns,^ ere, almoft, Rome
Should know we were afoot.
2. *$'£i\r. Noble Aufidius,
Take your commiflion ; hie you to your bands ;
Let us alone to guard Corioli :
If they fet down before us, for the remove
Bring up your army ; * but, I think, you'll find
9 To take in many fotvns^ To take in is here, as in many other
places, to Juhdue. So, in The Execration of Vulcan, bv Ben J onfoQ :
•« The Globe, the glon' of the Bank,
** I faw with two poor chambers taken in,
** And raz'd." Malone.
Again, more appo^tely, in Jntonj and Cleopatra :
*• — cut the Ionian fea,
'* And take in Toryne." Steevens.
* ■■ ■ for the remove
Bring up your army ;] Says the fenator to Aufidius, Go to your
iroofs, njoenuill garrifon Corioli. If the Romans befieee us, bring
vp your army to remwe them. If any change fhould oe made, I
would read :
for their remove. Johnson.
The remove and their remove are fo near in found, that the tran^
fcriber's ear might eafily have deceived him. But it is always
daogerotts to let conjedure loofe where there is no difficulty.
Maloni.
CORIOLANUS. 2^
They have not prepared for us.
Aur. O, doubt not that ;
I fpeak from certainties. Nay, more/
Some parcels of their powers are forth already.
And only hitherward. I leave your honours.
If we and Caius M arcius chance to meet,
•Tis fworn between us, we Ihall ever ilrike
Till one can do no more.
All. The gods affift you !
AuF. And keep your honours fafe !
1. Sen. Farewell.
2. Seh. Farewell,
All. Farewell. lExeunf.
SCENE III.
Rome. An Apartment in Marcius' boufe.
Enter Volumnia, and Virgilia : neyjit down $n
two lowjlools, and few.
Vol. I pray you, daughter, fing ; or exprefs your-
felf in a more comfortable fort : If my fon were my
hulband, I Ihould freelier rejoice in that abfencc
wherein he won honour, than in the embracements
of his bed, where he would (how moft love. When
yet he was but tender-body*d, and the only fon of
my womb ; when youth with comelinefs pluck*d
all gaze his way ; ^ when, for a day of kings* en-
' I /peak from certainties. Nay, more, 1 Sir Thomas Hanmer com*
plctes this line by reading-* .
I /peak from very certainties. &c. Stbbvens.
* r^ivheu youth ivith comelinefs plack'd all gaze hbov^^;]
%» e. attraApd the attention of every one towards him. Douce.
28 C O R I O L A N U S.
treaties, a mother ihould not fell him an houf from'
her beholding; I, — coufidering how honour would
become fuch a perfon ; that it was no better than
pidure-likc to hang by the wall, if renown made
it not ftir, — was pleafed to let him feek danger
where he was like to find fame. To a cruel war
1 fent him ; from whence he return'd, his brows
bound with oak/ I tell thee, daughter, — I Iprang
not more in joy at firfl hearing he was a man-child,
than now in firft feeing he had proved himfelf a
man.
«
f^iR. But had he died in the bufinefs, madam ?
how then ?
FoL. Then his good report Ihould have been my
fon ; I therein would have found iflue. Hear me
profefs fincerely: — Had I a dozen fons, — each in
my love alike, and none lefs dear than thine and
my good Marcius, — I had rather had eleven die
n6bly for their country, than one voluptuoufly fur-
feit out of adion.
Enter a Gentlewoman.
GEN'f* Madam, the lady Valeria is come to vilit
you.
Fir. 'Bcfeech you, give me leave to retire my-.
fclf'
FoL. Indeed, you fhall not.
Methinks, I hear hither your hulband's drum ;
Sec him pluck Aufidius down by the hair ;
4 hn^vs hound 'with oak.'\ The crown given by the Romans
to him that faved the life of a citizen, which was accounted more
honourable than any other. Joh nson.
5 19 KXitt tnj/elf.'] This verb adUrc (fignifying to w/V*-
dmnia) has already occurred in The Tempeft :
CO R I O L A N U S. 59
As children from a bear, the Voices ftiunning him :
Methinks, I fee him ftamp thus, and call thus, —
Come on, you cowards j you were gol infear^
Though you were born in Rome: His bloody brow
With his mailed hand then wiping,* forth he goes ;
Like to a harveft-man, that's tafk'd to mow
Ot all, or lofe his hire.
ViR. His bloody brow ! O, Jupiter, no blood !
Vol. Away, you fool ! it more becomes a man.
Than gilt his trophy : ' The brcafts of Hecuba,
When ftie did fuckle Heftor, looked not lovelier
Than Heilor's forehead, when it fpit forth blood
At Grecian fwords' contending. — Tell Valeria,'
We are fit to bid her welcome. [Exit Gent.
ViR. Heavens blefs my lord from fell Aufidiu3^.
Vol. He'll beat Aufidius* head below his knee.
And tread upon his neck.
«« 1 will thence
•* Retire mt to my WXiCti — .'•
.^gaia, inTimui rf Aibem :
** I have retired VM to a wafteful cock, — ." St iev ins.
Sec Vol, VIIL p. 250, n. 6. Malonb,
* With his xnaird hand then ^wi/in^,] i. c. lus hand covcr'd or
ann'd with mail. Do u c £.
7 Than gilt bit trophy .*] Gilt means a fuperfkial difplay of gold,
a word now obfolete. So, irx King Htnry V :
** Our gayncfs and our gilt, arc all befmirch'd."
Stebvbms.
• At Grecian fiMrdi* contending. — Tell Valeria^ The accuracy of
the firft folio may be afcertained from the manner in which this line
is printed :
At Grecian /word. Contenning, /r// Valeria. SrsErBica.
30 CORIOLANUS.
Re-^nt^Gcntlcviomzn^wiib Valeria andberU/ber^
Val. My ladies both, good day to you.
Vol. Sweet madam, —
ViR. I am glad to fee your ladyfhip.
Val. How do you both ? you are manifeft houic«
keepers. What, are you fewing here ? A fine fpot/
in good faith. — How does your little fon ?
ViK. I thank your ladyfhip; well, good ma-^
dam.
Vol. He had rather fee the fwords, and hear a
drum, than look upon his fchool-mafler.
Val. O* my word, the father's fon : I'll fwear,
'tis a very pretty boy. O* my troth, I look*d upon
him o' Wednefday half an hour together : he has
fuch a confirmed countenance. I faw him run after
a gilded butterfly ; and when he caught it, he let it
go again ; and after it again ; and over and over he
comes, and up again ; catch 'd it again : or whether
his fall enrag'd him, or how *twas, he did fo fet his
teeth, and tear it ; O, I warrant, how he mam«
mock'd it ! '
Vol. One of his father's moods.
Val. Indeed la, 'tis a noble child.
ViK. A crack, madam.*
• A fine /pot,'] Thisexpreffion (whatever may the be precife mean-
ing of it) is ftill in ufc among the vulgar ; " You have made a fine
^/ of work of it," being a common phrafe of reproach to thofc
who have brought themfelves into a fcrape. Stbevens,
• — mammock'd // /] To mammock is to cut in pieces, or to
tear. So, in The De^viVs Charter, 1607 •
** That he were chopt in mammocks, I could eat him."
Steevens.
• -<f crack, madam,] Thus in CjnthiaU Reveit by Benjonfon;
3% CORIOLANtrS.
Fir. Indeed^ madam ?
Fal. In carneft, it's true ; I heard a fenator fpeafe
it. Thus it is : — The Voices have an army forth j
againll whom Cominius the general is gone, with
one part of our Roman power : your lordj and Titus
Lartins> are fet down before their city Corioii;
they nothing doubt prevailing, and to make it brief
wars. This is true, on mine honour ; and fo, I
pray, go with us.
Fir. Give me excufe, good madam ; I will obey
you in every thing hereafter.
FoL. Let her alone, lady ; as ihe is now, Ihe will
but difeafe our better mirth.
FjtL. In troth, I think, fhe would : — Fare you
well then. — Come, good fweet lady. — Pr'ythce,
Virgilia, turn thy folemnefs out o'door, and go
along with us.
Fir. No: at a word, madam; indeed, I muft
not. I wilh you much mirth.
Fal. Well, then farewell. [Eiceunf.
S C E N E IV.
Before Corioii.
Enter ^ with Drum and Colours^ Marcius, Titus
Lartius, Officers y and Soldiers. To them a Mcf-
fenger.
Mar* Yonder comes news : — A Mager, they have
met.
LARr. My horfe to yours, no.
7
C O R I O L A N U S, 33
Mjr. 'Tis done.
Lart. Agreed.
Mar. Say, has our general met the enemy ?
Mes. They lie in view ; but have not fpoke as
yet.
Lart. So, the good horfe is mine.
Mar. I'll buy him of you.
Lart. No, ril nor fell, nor give him : lend you
him, I will,
JFbr half a hundred years. — Summon the town.
Mar. How far off lie thefe armies ?
Mrs* Within this mile and half.'
Mar. Then fhall we hear their 'larum, and they
ours.
Now, Mars, I pr'ythee, make us quick in work ;
That we with fmoking fwords may march from
hence.
To help our fielded friends ! ^— Come, blow thy blaft^
Tbey found a parley. Enter ^ on the walls, fome Sena^
tors and Others.
TuUus Aufidius, is he within your walls ?
I. Sen. No, nor a man that fears you lefs than
he.
That's leffcr than a little.' Hark, our drums
\^ Alar urns afar off.
' Witbim this mile and half.] The two laft words, which diftufb
the meafuref (hould be omitted ; as we are told in p. 41, that— «
•» 'Tis not a mile* between the two armies. Steevens.
^ — fielded /r/rtfi^/] i. e. our friends who are in the field of
battle. Steevens.
^ nor a man that fears you lefs than he^
Tbaft leffer than a tittle J[ TTie fenfe requires It to be read :
— ^ — iror ii man that fears you more than he j
Vol. XII. D
34 CORIOLANUS.
Are bringing forth our youth: We'll break our
walls.
Rather than they fhall pound us up : our gates.
Which yet feem (hut, we have out pinn'd with
rufhes;
They'll open of themfelves. Hark you, far off;
[Other Alarums.
There is Afifidius : lift, what work he makes
Amongft your cloven army.
Mar. O, they are at it!
Lart. Their noife be our inftrudion. — Lad*
ders, ho !
7be Voices enter and pa/s over the Stage.
Mar. They fear us not, but iflue forth their city.
Now put your fhields before your hearts, and fight
With hearts more proof than Ihields. — Advance,
brave Titus :
They do difdain us much beyond our thoughts.
Which makes me fweat with wrath. — Come, on
my fellows ;
He that retires, PU take him for a Voice,
And he fhall feel mine edge.
*Or, more probably :
nor a man hut fears you lejs than he.
That's IfJJer than a little. Johnson.
The text, I am confident, is right, our author almoft always *
entangling himfclf when he ufes lejs and more. Sec Vol. VII. p. 84,
D. 5* i^Jfer in the next line (hows that lefs in that preceding was
the author's word, and it is extremely improbable tliat he fhould
have written — but fears you lefs, &c. Ma lone.
Dr. Johnfon's note aopears to mc unnecelTary, nor do I think
with Mr. Malone that Sl'.akfpcare has here entangled himfelf ; but
on the contrar)' that he could not have exprefled himfelf better.
The fenfe is «' honxjen:er little ToUus Aufidius fears you, thcfc is
not a roan jvithin the walls that fears you Ufs'' Do vc e.
CORIOLANUS,
3S
Jlarum, and exeunt Romans and Voices, figbiing.
The Romans are beaten back to ibeir iremhes^ Rt^
tnier MarcidSp*
Mar. All the contagion of the fouth light on
you.
You ftiames of Rome ! you herd of — Boils and
plagues ^
Plafter you o'er; that you may be abhorr'd
Further than feen, and one infedt another
Againft the wind a mile? You fouls of geeft.
That bear the fliapes of men, how have you run
From flaves that apes would beat? Pluto and helU
All hurt behind; backs red, and faces pale
* Rt-miiT Marem^l The old copy reads — Enter Marciiis curjttti^
Steepens-
* Ymfi&mes of Rome! j-sfi hfrd ef-^Bojis and ^iagnft &'c.] Thifc
pi^gc, like alffloft every other abrupt fen Ic nee in rhefe plays,
18^ rendered umnceOigible ia the old copy by inaccurate pundua-
tkm- Sec VoL IV, p, 51S, n* 7 j Vol, V, p. ro6, n. 8, and p,
211, n* 8> and p. 4^5^ n^ 2* For the prefent regulation I am
anfwcrable. ** You herd of towards T* Marcius would fsiy, but
liis rage prerents him.
In a former pafTage he is equslly impetuous and abrupt :
" — one's Juniui Bmtus^
" Sicimus Vcliitus, and I know noi — ^Tdeatb,
" The rabble fhould have firft/* &c.
Speaking of the people in a fubfcquent fcene, he iifes the fame
trnpreffton :
" — Are thcfe your herd?
" Muft ihefc have voice*/* &c-
Again : " More of your converfation would infe^ my brainy
being rhe btrdjmm otike htafily plebeians.**
In Mn Rowe'i cdidon htrd% wns printed inftead of htrd, the
reading of the old copy ; and the parage has been cxhibiicd thuft
in the modem editions :
** You fhamcs of Rome, you \ Herds of boiU ?.nd plague!
** Flayer you o'er V* M a l w n t ,
D a
36 CORIOLANUS.
With flight and agued fear! Mend, and charge
home.
Or, by the fires of heaven, PU leave the foe.
And make my wars on you ; look to't: Come on;
If you'll (land fall, we'll beat them to their wives.
As they us to our trenches followed.
Another Alarum. 516^ Voices tf»^ Romans re-enter,
and the fight is renewed. The Voices retire into
Corioli, and Makcivs follows theta to the gates.
So, now the gates are ope: — Now prove good fc-
conds :
•Tis for the followers fortune widens them.
Not for the fliers : Mark me, and do the like.
[He enters the gates ^ and isjhut in..
I. Sol. Fool-hardinefs j not I.
a. Sol. Nor I.
3. Sol. See, thejr
Have Ihut him in. [Alarum continues.
All. To the pot, I warrant hinu
Enter Titus Lartius.
L^RT. What is become of Marcius?
All. Slain, fir, doubtlefs.
I. Sol. Following the fliers at the very heels.
With them he enters : who, upon the fudden,
Clapp'd-to their gates ; he is himfelf alone.
To anfwcr all the city.
L^Rr. O noble fellow !
Who, fcnfiblc, outdares ^ his feiifclcf:i fword,
^ Who^ fenfthk^ outdares ] The old editions read :
IVbi Kiifibly Qut'dares - ' •
CORIOLANUS. 37
And, when it bows, (lands up I Thou art left, Mar-
cius:
A carbuncle entire,^ as big as thou art.
Were not fo rich a jewel. Thou waft a foldier
Even to Cato's wilh : not fierce and terrible
Only in ftrokes ; ' but, with thy grim looks, and
Thirlby reads :
JVho, feniiblc, outdoes bis fen/ek/s /ivord.
He is followed by the later editors^ but I have taken only his
corre^on. Johnson.
SfMfeble is here, having fen/ation. So before : ** I would, your
cambrick wctg /tnjible as your finger." Though Coriolanus ha»
the feeling of pain like other men, he is more hardy in daring ex-
ploits than his ftnJeU/s fword, for after it is bent, he yet ftands
firm in the field. Ma lone.
The thought fcems to have been adopted from Sidney's Arcadia,
edit. 1633, p. 293:
" Their very armour by piece-meale fell away from them : and
ja, their fleih abode the wounds conitantly, as though it were leflc
fcnfible of fmart than the fenfeleflc armour," &c. Jjteevbns*
* A carbuncle entire 9 &c.] So, in Ot be llo :
•• If heaven had made me fuch another woman,
•* Of one entire and perfed chryfolite,
** I'd not have ta'en it for her," Malone.
" J^boM luaft a foldier
Even to Cato's wifh : not fierce and terrible
Onlj infirokes ; &c.] In the old editions it W9s i
Calvus' ivijb :
Plutarch, in the Life of Coriolanus ^ relates this as the opinion of
Cato the Elder, that a great foldier (hould carry terrourin his looki
and tone of voice ; and the poet, hereby following the hiflorian, uk
fallen into a great chronological impropriety. Th e o b a l o •
The old copy reads — Calues wilh. The correAion made by
Theobald is fully juftiiied by the pailage in Plutarch, which Shak*
fpcare had in view : ** Martius, being there [before Corioli] at that
time, ronningout of the campe with a fewe men with him, he flup
the firft enemies he met withall, and made the reft of them ilaye
apon a fodaine ; crying out to the Romaincs that had turned their
backes, and calling them againe to fight with a lowde voyce»
For he was even fuch another as Cato would have 2,fouldier and a
<:aptaioe to be ; not only terrible and fierce to lay about him« bu(
D3
38 CORIOLANUS.
The thunder-like percuflion of thy founds.
Thou mad'ft thine enemies (hake, as if the world
Were feverous, and did tremble.'
Re-enter Marcius, bleedings ajfaulted by the enemy.
I. Sol. Look, fir.
Lart. 'Tis Marcius :
Let's fetch him off, or make remain • alike.
[They fights and all enter the city.
to make the cncmic afeard with the founde of hU voyce and grimnet
of his coMfttcnance,** North's Tranflation of Plutarch, i C79, p. 2^0.
Mr. M. Mafbn fuppofcs that Shakfpeare, to avoid tne chronolo-
gical impropriety, put this faying of the elder Cato ** into the
mouth of a certain Cahus, who might have lived at any time."
Had Shakfpcare known that Cato was not contemporary with Co*
riolanus, (tor there is nothing in the foregoing paffage to make
him even fuffeS that was the cafe,} and in confequence made this
alteration, he would have attended in this particular inflance to a
point, of which almoft every page of his works (hows that he was
totally negligent ; a fpppofition which is fo improbable, that I have
no doubt the correAion that has been adopted by the modem edi*
4ors, is right. In the firfl ad of this play, we have Lucius auid
Mtfrn/^/ printed inilead oi Lartius^ in the oriinnal and only authen-
lick ancient copy. The fubftitution of Cabus^ inilead of Catos^
is eafily accounted for. Shakfpeare wrote, according to the mode
of his time, Catoes wi(h ; (So, in Beaumont's Mafque, 1613 :
•* And what will Junoes Iris do for her ?")
omitting to draw a line acrofs the /, and writing the 0 inaccurately*
the tranfcriberor printer gave us Calues. See a fubfequent paffiige
in Ad II. fc. ult. in which our author has been led by another
paflage in Plutarch into a iimilar anachionifm. Ma lone.
'* ■ as if the loorU
lyertftmertmst and did tremble. '\ So, in Macbeth:
•* fomc fay, the earth
" Was feverous, and did (hake." Steevens.
* fuaie remain—] is an old manner of fpeaking, whu;ii
means do more than remain* H a n m e &»
CORIOLANUS,
J9
SCENE V.
Within the iown. A Street,
Enter certain Romans, with fpoils.
t. Rom. This will I carry to Rome.
2* Rom. And I this.
3- Rom. A murrain on*t! I took this for filver,
[AiaruTn coniinHes Jiill afar off,
£;r/>rMARCius, ^^rf Titus Lartius^ wiib a
irumpei^
MjR. See here thefe movers, that do prize their
hours'^
At a crack'd drachm! Cufhions, leaden fpoons.
Irons of a doit, doublets that hangmen would
Bury with thofe that wore them/ thefe bafe flaves.
^ •^— /rj^ their hours ] Mr. Pope arbitrarily changed the
word ioarr to hammrs^ and Dr, Johnfon, too haftily 1 think, ap-
pro vci of the alteration. Every page of Mr* Popc*s edition aboundi
wiih fimilar innovations, Malone.
A modem editor, who had made ftich an improvement, would
kire fpenl half a page in ostentation of hh {agacity.p JoiiNSorf^
Coriolanus blames the Roman foldiers only for wafting thdr tmt
in packing up trifles of fiich fmall value. So, in Sir Thomas North *i
Tranflati on of Piutnreh ; " Marti us was raarvellotts angry with
them, and cried out on themj that it was no tirru now to look©
after fpoyle, atjd to ronne Itraggling here and tlicre to enrich
chesDfdves, whiUt the other conuil and their fellow citis&cns per-
advenlu re we re fight ing w i th thei r cnc mies. * ' S t e e v e n s .
^ ^^^ dmhtfts that haffgmtH <]Oiuld
Bury rwHh ih^fe that nx/ore them,] Inftead of taking them ai
^Acif lawful perc|ui{iK, Sec Vot IV, p. 325* n* ;. Ma lone*
40 CORIOLANUS.
Ere yet the fight be done, pack up : — Down with
them. —
And hark, what noife the general makes! — To
him: —
There is the man of my foul's hate, Aufidius,
Piercing our Romans : Then, valiant Titus, take
Convenient numbers to make good the city ;
Whilft I, with thofe that have the fpirit, will haftc
To help Cominius.
Lart. Worthy fir, thou bleed'ft;
Thy exercife hath been too violent for
A fecond courfe of fight.
Mar. Sir, praife me not r
My work hath yet not warm'd me : Fare you well.
The blood I drop is rather phyfical
Than dangerous to me : To Aufidius thus
I will appear, and fight.
Lart. Now the fairgoddefs. Fortune,*
Fall deep in love with thee ; and her great charms
Mifguide thy oppofers' fwords ! Bold gentleman,
Proiperity be thy page !
Mar. Thy friend no lefs
Than thofe flie placeth highefl: 1 So, farewell.
Lart. Thou worthiefl: Marcius ! —
[Exit Marcius.
Go, found thy trumpet in the market-place ;
Call thither all the officers of the town.
Where they ftiall know our mind : Away.
lEx^unt.
* Than dangerous tomtl To Aufidius thus
J nvili appear , and fight.
Lart. Nanjo the fair goddefst Fortune,'] The metre being here vio*
latcd, I think we might fafcly read with Sir T. Hanmcr (omitting
the worcb—/© me) :
ThoM dangerous : To Aufidius thus njaiU I
Jffmrp and fight.
Nmu the fair godde/s^Fortme^'^. Stsivev^
C O Rj^ I O L A N U 5. 41
SCENE VI.
Near the Camp of Cominius,
Enter Cominius and force s^ retreating.
Com. Breathe you, my friends ; well fought : wc
are come off
Like Romans, neither foolifh in our Hands,
Nor cowardly in retire : believe me, firs.
We (hall be charg'd again. Whiles we have Ilruck,
By interims, and conveying gufts, we have heard
The charges of our friends : — The Roman gods,
X^ad their fuccefles as we wifh our own ; ^
That both our powers, with fmiling fronts encoun-^
fring.
Enter a Meflenger.
May give you thankful facrificc ! — Thy news ?
Mes. The citizens of Corioli have iffued.
And given to Lartius and to Marcius battle :
I faw our party to their trenches driven.
And then I came away.
Com. Though thou fpeak'ft truth,
Mcthinks, thou fpeak'ft not well. How long is't
fince ?
Mes. Above an hour, my lord.
Com. 'Tis not a mile; briefly we heard their
drums :
^ — The RomoM godsy
Lead their fucceffes as we «wijh wr (ywn \\ i« c. May the Roman
gods, &c. Mai.on£.
42 CORIOLAi;|IUS.
How could'ft thou in a mile confound an hour/
And bring thy news fo kte ?
Mes. Spies of the Voices
Held me in chafe, that I was forc'd to wheel
Three or four miles about ; elfe had I, fir.
Half an hour fince brought my report.
Enter Marcius.
Com. Who's yonder.
That does appear as he were flay'd ? O gods !
He has the flamp of Marcius ; and I have
Before-time feen him thus.
MjR. Come I too late ?
Com. The fhepherd knows not thunder from a
tabor.
More than I know the found of Marcius' tongue
From every meaner man's.*
MjR. Come I too late ?
* -^confoond au hour,^ Confound is here ufcd not in its common
acceptation, but in the fenfe of — to expend. Contcrere tempus.
Maloke. .
So, in King Henry IF. P. I. Ad I. fc. iii :
" He did con/oundthc bcft part of an hour,"&c. Steevens.
* From every meaner man's.] [Old copy — meaner man.] That
is, from thai of every meaner man. This kind of phrafeoloey is
found in many places in thefe plays ; and as the peculiarities of our
author, or rather the language of his age, oqght to be fcrupuloufly
attended to, Hanmer and the fubfequent editors who read here —
every meaner man's, ought not in my apprehenfion to be foUowed,
though we fhould now write fo. Ma lone.
When I am certified that this, and many correfponding ofienccs
againft grammar, were common to the writers of our author's age«
I fhall not perfevere in correAing them. But while I fufpeft ^2s
in the preient inftance) that fuch irregularities were the gibberilh
of a theatre, or the blunders of a tranfcriber, I (hall forbear to
fct nonfenfe before my readers ; efpecially when it can be avoided
by the infertion of a £ngle letter, which indeed might h<|ve drop<.
pcd out at the prefs. Stkevexs.
CORIOLANUS.
43
I
Com. Ay, if ;
come not in the blood of others,
But mantled in your own,
MjiR. O ! let me clip you
In arms as found, as when I woo'd ; in heart
As merry^ as when our nuptial day was done.
And rapers burn*d to bedward.*^
CoM> Flower of warriors.
How is*t with Titus Lartius ?
MaB, As with a man bufied about decrees :
Condemning fome to death, and fome to exile ;
Ranfoming him, or pitying,^ threatening the other;
Holding Corioli in the name of Rome,
Even like a faw ning greyhound in the leafh.
To let him flip at will.
Com. Where is that (lave.
Which told me they had beat you to your trenches?
WTiere is he ? Call him hither.
Mjr. Let him alone,
He did inform the truth: But for our gentlemen^
The common file, (A plague! — Tribunes for them 1)
The moufe ne*er fliunn'd the cat, as they did budge
From rafcals worfe than they.
Com* But how prevail'd you?
Mam. Will the time ferve to tell ? I do not
think —
* /i?Wdward,] So, in Aihummxar^ 1615:
" Sm^chis hourly for a diy brown crull to Miv/rrdn'*
STECVlffi.
Again, in Feacham'i Cam^i^U Genilfman^ 1627: " Leaping,
ujion a full ftomach, or sa Brikjmrd^ is very dangerous.'' Maloni.
Agam, in The legend qf C&rdiml Lcrrame, ^ H?- ^g"* ^ * -
'* They donfcd alfo, left fo foon as iheir backs were luracd to the
tiOMTtmmrdf aod that lliey had given over the dealings in the affairs,
ii)cr« woulii come In infmite com plai nts, '* Reed.
^ M&m/miMg bim, or pitying,] i, C, rtmiuifig hii narffim.
JoHNlOK,
44 CORIOLANUS.
Where is the enemy ? Arc you lords o' the field ?
If not, why ceafeyou till you are fo?
Com. Marcius,
We have at difadvantage fought, and did
Retire, to win our purpofe.
Mar* How lies their battle ? Know you on which
fide*
iThey have plac*d their men of truft?
Com. As I guefs, Marcius,
Their bands i' the vaward are the Antiates,^
Of their beft truft : o'er them Aufidius,
Their very heart of hope.*
Mar. I do befeech you.
By all the battles wherein we have fought.
By the blood we have fhed together, by the vows
We have made to endure friends, that you diredlf
• • on ivhichjtde &c.] So, in the old tranflation oi Plutarch :
" Martius a(ked him howe the order of the enemies battell was,
and on which fide they had placed their bell fighting men. The
confiil made him aunfwer that he thought the bandes which were
in the vaward of their battell, were thofc of the Antiates, whom
they cfleemcd to be the warlike^ men, and which for valiant corage
would geve no place to anjr of the hofte of their enemies. Then
prayed Martins to be fet diredly againfi them. The conful graonted
mm, greatly prayfing his corage." Steevens.
y Antiaies^'] The old copy reads — Antients^ which might
mean *veurans ; bu( a following line, as well as the previous quo-
tation, feems to prove Antiates to be the proper reading :
" Set me againft Aufidius and his Antiates.**
Our author employs — Antiates as a trify liable, as if it had been
Vfntttn-^Antia/s, Steevens.
Mr. Pope made the corredion. Ma lone.
* I'heir'very heart of hope.] The fame exprcflion is found iii
Marlowe's LuJVs Dominion :
•' thy defperate arm
•• Hath almoft thrult quite through the hfart of hope.**
Malomi»
In King Henry IV. P. I. we have
*• The very bottom and the foul of hopt^'* Stieve ns.
C O R I O L A N U S- 45
Set me againft Aufidius^ and his Antiates :
And that you not delay the prefent ; ' but.
Filling the air with fwords advanc'd,** and darts.
We prove this Ytry hour.
Com. Though I could wifh
You were conduced to a gentle bath.
And balms applied to you, yet dare I never
Deny your alking ; take your choice of thofc
That bell can aid your adlion.
Mar. Thofe are they
That moft are willing: — If any fuch be here,
(As it were fin to doubt,) that love this painting
Wherein you fee me fmear*d; if any fear
Lefler his perfon than an ill report ; ^
If any think, brave death outweighs bad life^
And that his country's dearer than himfelf ;
Let him, alone, or fo many, h minded.
Wave thus, [waving his band.'] to exprefs his dif-
pontion.
And follow Marcius.
[Tbey alljhouty and wave their fwords ; take
him up in their arms, and cajl up their caps.
I Attd tbat you not ^tlzy the prefent \\ Delay ^ for let flip.
Warburtow.
♦ fwords advanc^d,^ That is, fwords lifted high.
Johnson.
* if any fear
Lefler hisperfm than an III report \\ The old copy has leffen^ If
die prefent reading, which was intnxluced by Mr, Steevcns, be
right, hii perfon muft mean his perfonal danger. — If any one lefs fears
perfonal danger than an ill name, &c. If the fears of any man are
icisfor his perfon, than they arc from an apprchenfion of being
cfteemed a coward, &c. We have nearly the fame fentimcnt in
Troilns and Crefftda :
»« If there be one among the fair'ft of Greece,
*« That holds his honour higher than his cafe,—.'*
AgBls, in King Henry VI. P. Ill :
" But thou prefer'ft thy life before thine honour."
la this pUy we haye already had lej/er nfed for Ufs. Malonb.
46 CORIOLANUa
O me, alone ! Make you a fword of me ?
If thcfe fhows be not outward^ which of you
But is four Voices ? None of you, but is
Able to bear againft the great Aufidius
A fhield as hard as his. A certain number.
Though thanks to all, muft I feledl: the reft
Shall bear * the bufinefs in fome other fight.
As caufe will be obey'd. Pleafe you to march;
And four (hall quickly draw out my command.
Which men are beft inclin'd.*
' Though ihanh to all ^ I muft/eha : the reft
Shall bear &c.] The old copy — ^I mad feiedl/fvw all. I have
followed Sir Thomas Hanmer in the omiflion of words apparently
needlefs and redundant. St ebve ns.
* — Plea/eyou to march ;
And ioMiJhall quickly dranv out my command^
Which men are beft htclind.] I cannot but fufpe^ this paflage
of corniption. Why fhould they march, that four might felm
thofe that were beft inclined f How would their inclinations be
known ? Who were the four that Ihould felcft them ? Perhaps, we ,
may read :
Fleafe you to march ;
And itzxjhall quickly dra*w out of my command^
Which men are lead iucliu'd.
It is eafy to conceive that, by a little negligence, fear might he
changed to four, and leaft to beft. Let us march, and that fiuir
which incites defertion will free my army from cowards.
John so If.
Mr. Heath thinks the poet wrote :
** And fo I (hall quickly draw out," &c.
Some fenfe, however, may be extorted from the ancient reading.
Coriolanus may mean, that as all the foldiers have offered to attend
him on this expedition, and he wants only a part of them, he will
fubmit the feledion to four indifferent perfons, that he himielf
miy efcape the charge of partiality. If this be the drift of Shak*
fpcare, he has expreflcd it with uncommon obfcurity. The old
tranflatlon of Plutarch only fays, " Wherefore, with thofc that
willingly offered themfelves to followe him, he went out of the
cittie." Stbbvens.
Coriolanus means onlv to fay, that he would appoint four pcribna
to (eledl for his particular command or party, thofe who were bed
inclined ; and in order to fare time, he propofes to have ihii choice
CO R I O L A N U S. 4^^
Com. March on, my fellows :
Make good this ollentation, and you Khali
Divide in all with us. [Exeunt.
SCENE VIL
ne Gates of Corioli.
Titus Lartius, having Jet a guard upon Corioli,
going with a drum and trumpet toward Cominius
and Caius Marcius, enters zvitb a lieutenant, a
party of Joldiers, andafcout.
LjRr. So, let the ports ' be guarded : keep your
duties.
As I have fet them down. If I do fend, defpatch
Thofe centuries ' to our aid ; the reft will ferve
For a fhort holding : If we lofe the field.
We cannot keep the town.
Lieu. Fear not our care, fir.
Lart. Hence, and fliut your gates upon us. —
Our guider, come ; to the Roman camp condudl us.
\^Exeunt.
made, while the anny is marching forward. They all march to-
wards the enemy, and on the way he choofes thofe who are to go
on that particular fervice. M. Mason.
' ——/imports — ] i. e. the gates. So, val'imon of Athens:
" Defcend, and open your uncharged ports," Steevens.
* Thofe centuries — ] i. e. companies confiftlng each of a hun-
dred men. Our author fomctimes ufes this word to exprd*s fimply
—a btmdredi as in Cymheline :
*' And on it Cud a ccntMy of prayers." Stbevbns.
4» C O R I O L A N U S.
SCENE VIII.
A field of battle between the Roman and Volciaix
Camps.
Alarum. Enter Marcius and Aufidius.
Mar. I'll fight with none but thee; fori do
hate thee
Worfe than a promife-breaker.
Auf. We hate alike ;
Not Africk owns a ferpent, I abhor
More than thy fame and envy:'' Fix thy foot.
Mar. Let the firft budger die the other's flave.
And the gods doom him after! *
AuF. If I fly, Marcius^
Halloo me like a hare.
Mar. Within thefe three hours> TuUus^
Alone I fought in your Corioli walls,^
And made what work I pleas 'd : 'Tis not my bloody
Wherein thou feed me malk'd ; for thy revenge.
Wrench up thy power to the higheft.
'i ' thy fame and envy :] E/tvy here as in many other placet^,
means, malice* See Vol. XL p. 6i» n. 9. Ma lone.
The phrafe— iiSr^i& and honour, being allowed, in our autho^'r
language, to fignify no more than — honourable death , fo fame emd
eH*ty, may only mean — detefted or odious fame. The verb— -to emy^
in ancient language, fignifies to hate* Or the confbrudion may m
•^•^Not Africk owns a ferpent I more abhor and enrjy, than thy fame.
Stebvens.
• And the gods doom him after i^ So, in Macbeth :
*« And daiftn'd be him who firft cries. Hold, Enough !"
Steevbn8»
V Within thefe three hotm, Tullus,
Alone I fought in your Corioli walls,] If the nflme of Tmllns bt
omitted, the metre will become regular. Stseviks.
7
C O R I Q^L AN U S. 49
Au¥. Wert thou the Hedor,
That was the whip of your bragg'd progeny,*
Thou ftiould'ft not fcape me here, —
[^beyjigbty and certain Voices come to the aid
of Aufidius*
Officious, and not valiant — you have fham*d me
In your condemned feconds.'
[Exeunt fightings driven in by Mafcius^
* Wert thou the HeBot^
That tvas /i6^ whip of your hrag£d progeny ^ Thfi Romans
boafted therofelvcs dcfcended from the Trojans; how then was
He^r the nuhip of their progeny ? It muft mean the whip with
whkh the Trojans fcourged the Greeks^ which cannot be but by a
▼cry anafoal conftruAion, or the author muft haire forgotten the
original of the Romans ; unlefs mjhip has fome meaning which in-^
dodcs advantage or fuperiorityf as we fay» he has the whip-hand,
ibr i&^ i^/ /i<f advantage. Johnson*
Dr. Johnfon coniiders this as a very unufual conftrndtion^ but it
appears to me only fuch as every page of thefe plays fumifhes ; and
me foregoing interpretation is m my opinion undoubtedly the true
one. An anonymous correfpondent juftly obferves, that the words
mean, " the whip that your bragg'd progeny was poffejs^d «/!"
Malonb.-
Whip mi^ht anciently be ufed^ as crack is now, to denote any
dung pecoliarly boafted of; as — the crack houfe in the county,-—
the crack boy of a fchool» &c. Modern phrafeology, perhaps, has
only pailed from ^t^johip^ to the crack of it. St e evens.
^ you ha*ve Jham*d me
In your condemned feconds.'\ For condemned; we may read con^'
ttmnedm Yon have, to my Ihame, fent me help <which I defpife,
Johnson.
Why may we not as well be contented with the old reading, and
explain it. Ton ha^je^ to my Jhame^ fent me help^ fwhich I muft con-
demn as intrufrve^ infiead of applauding it as neceffary f Mr. M. Mafon
propofes to read fecond inftead of ftconds ; but the latter is right.
So King Lear : " No feconds? all myfelf ?" Steevens.
We have had the fame phrafe in the fourth fcene of this play :
*♦ Now prove good feconds .' " M a lo n i .
Vot. XII. E
50 C O R I O L A N U S.
SCENE IX.
The Roman Camp.
4larum. A Retreat is founded. Fl^urijb. Enter
at onefide^ Cominius, and Romans ; at the other
fide^ Marcius, with his arm in a/carf^ and other
Romans.
Com. If I (hould tell thcc* o'er this thy dajr't
work,
Thou*lt not believe thy deeds : but I'll report it^
Where fenators (hall mingle tears with fmiles ;
Where great patricians fluill attend, and flirug,
I' the end> admire ; where ladies (hall be frighted^
^HI^M ull the* &C.] So, in the old tranfladon of TJuianh t
^ There the confnl Cominius eoing ap to his chayer of ftatCj in
the piefinioe of the whole armie, gaoe diankes to the goddei fer
to great* gbrioos* and profperoos a vi^rie : then he ^akiK to
Mvtius* whofe valiiantnei he commended bejond the moone^
both for that he him felfe iawe him doe with his eyes» as alfo fsr
that Martius had reported vnto him. So in the ende he willed
Martins, he (hould choofe out of aU the horfes they k^i laken of
their enemies* and of all the goodes they had wonne (whereof lbir»
was great ftore) tenne of eoery forte which he likell beft* before
any didribution (hould be made to other. Be(ides this jj^real bo-
norable offer he had made him* he gaoe him in teiUmonie that he
had wonne that daye the price of provves above all other, a goodljp
horfe with a capparifon^ and all furniture to him : which the whok
armie beholding* dyd marveloufly prai(e and commend. But Mar*^
tius ftepping forth, told tlie conful, he moft thanckefully accepted
thegifte of his horfe, and was a glad manbefides, thatnb feroice
had defenied his generalls commendation : and as for his other
ofier, which was rather a mercenary reward, than an honourable
recompence, he would none of it, but was contented to haue his
equall parte with other fouldiers." Sirs evsks.
C O R 1 O L A N U S. SI
And^ gladly quak'd»^ hear morej where the dull
Tribunes,
That, with the fufty plebeians, hate thine honours^
Shall fskft againft their hearts* — /^V ihank ibe gods^
Our Rome batb/ucb a fofdier! —
Yet cam 'ft thou to a morfcl of this feall:^
Having fully din'd before.
EMier Titi us Lartius, wiih his power, from ibe
purfuiL
Lart. O general.
Here is the deed, we the caparifon :*
Madft thou beheld —
Mar^ Pray now, no more ; my mother.
Who has a charter to extol "^ her bloody
When (he does praife me, grieves me. I have done*
As you have dones that's what I can; induced
As you have been ; that's for my country : *
He, that has but effeded his good will,
Hath overtaken mine acft.^
» jfmit gl^^y yw^l V*] u c, thrown into grttcftil trepidation.
To fMakt b ukd Ilkewife as a verb adive by T* He/wood, in
\m Sil'viT Jge^ 1613 ;
*• Wc*ll ^Haki them at thtt bar
** Where atl fouls wait for ftntcncc-'* " SriEVEWf,
^ Hert if ihe fie^f 'we thi^ t€fparifin ;i'\ This is an odd cncomiucn.
The rocaotng U^ tkis mmptrfarmtd ih£ ^iOH, akd^ti}€ mlj fiUti uf
^ *-^ tf charttt in txid — J A privilege to praife her own fon.
JoHKGQN«
* thm's f&r mjsmniry :^ The latter word is ufcd here, ai
in other places, as a rrify liable. See Vol* III. p* 1 90, n* 7.
Maloi^i,
^ Hf^ ikai kath hut tfftB^d his g^d miiU^
Hath overu'cn miuf ad.] That is, his done as much as I have
Jont, bafmuch is my ardour to fcrv^he ftmc i* fuch th»t 1 lmv»
never been abl« to efikt tdl that X wjlli'd*
E 2
52 COR I O LA N U S;
Com. You (hall not be
The grave of your deferving; Rome muft know
The value of her own : 'twere a concealment
Worfe than a theft, no lefs than a traducement.
To hide your doings ; and to filence that.
Which, to the fpirc and top of praifes vouched.
Would feem but modeft : Therefore, I befeech you,
(In fign of what you are, not to reward
What you have done,^) before our army hear me.
Mar. I have fome wounds upon me, and they
fmart
To hear themfelves remembered.
Com. Should they not,*
Well might they fefter 'gainft ingratitude.
And tent themfelves with death. Of all thehorfes,
(Whereof we have ta'en good, and good ftore,) of
all
The treafure, in this field achiev'd, and city.
We render you the tenth ; to be ta'cn forth.
Before the common diftribution, at
Your only choice.
MjR. I thank you, general;
But cannot make my heart confent to take
A bribe, to pay my fword : I do refufe it ;
And ftand upon my common part with thofc
That have beheld the doing.
\^A long flour ijh. They all cry, Marcius ! Marciirs !
cafl up i heir caps and lances: Com lu iv Si ani
Lartius, fland bare.
So^ in Macbeth :
" The flighty purpofe never is o'ertook^
*« Unlefs the deed goes with it." Ma lone.
9 not to reward
What you ha*ve dofte,)'\ So, in Macbeth :
•* To herald thee into his fight, not p/ij thee,** StebybR!^*
* Should thej wt,] That is, not be remembered, Johnson.
C O R I O L A N U S,
53
fj&. May thefe fame inftruments, which you
protane^
Never found more ! When drums and trumpets
ihaU^
WSea drums ani frmmp^h fiait 4c,] In the old copy:
. ^Viihtn drum J and irumpfis fi^all
r tkf fieid^ ^nyvejamrtrs, /ef courts and titia h
Madf all &f/h//f-/ac'd /oQt^iHg,
Whfwjhefgro^s f^Jt ai the parajite*s Jt/kt
Lit him he made an m^erture for fhe ^wntt I
All here is mifcrably corrupt and disjointed. Wc JHould read
the nrhole thus :
nahen immt emi trumfeU JkMl
f/' th* field pnrve fiaitertti^ ht camps, as ciim^
Be made q/ falje-Jac^d Jmiking / IVhe^ Jletl gf^rim
L Sefi ai the pftrajtte*! fi/i\ iti hynina ^e mud*
r -^ mferfure fir the nijan /
The thought is this. If one thing changes its ufual nature to a
thing molt opp^'ifitc, there i^ no reafon but that all rhe reit which
depend on it tliould do (o too, [If drums and trumpets prove
i.ittercrs. Jet the €amp bear the falfe face of the city,] And if
inoihcr changes m ufual nature, that its opposite lliould do fo too«
[When ftcci foAens to the condition of the parafue's filk, the
poccful hmn/ of devotion Ihould be employed to excite to die
charge,] Now, in the firft inftance, the thought, in the common
readings was entirely loft by puttbg in courts for cam/r; and the
latter mifcrably involved in nonfenfe, by blundering hjmm into
him. Wars uJiTo Iff.
■ The firft part of the paflagc has been altered, in my opinion ,
ttnncceOatilr by Dr. Warburton ; and the latter not fo happily,
1 think, as he often conjectures. In the btier part, which only I
mean to confidcr, inftead ofp him, (an evident corruption) he fub-
^%uici hrmrir; which perhaps may palliam, but certainly hai not
cured, the woundi of the fentence. X would propofe an alteration
of two word^:
** when Heel gro^vs
" Soft as the parafitc*s filk, let ihii [i, e, f^k] be made
** A c&^erfmre for the wars!'*
The fenfc will then be apt and complete* ff'heff ileel grab's /oft
MS iilk, itt armour he mad^ of filk mfiend 0/ ftee!. Tv itWKJ tt.
It ihoaW be remembered, that the perfonal him^ is not unfre-
^uently nfcd by our author, and other writers of his age, inftead of
54
CORIOLANUS.
r the field prove flatterers, let courts and citictbc
Made all of falfe^fac'd foot King ! When fteel growg
Soft as the parafite's filk, let him be made
An overture for the wars I No more, I fay ;
For that I have not wafh'd my nofe that blcd>
Or foiled fome debile wretch, — which^ without
note,
Here's many elfe have done, — you fliout me forth
In acclamations hyperbolical;
As if I lov*d my little fhould be dieted
In praifes fauc'd with lies.
Com, Too mod eft are you ;
More cruel to your good report, than grateful
To us that give you truly : by your patience.
If 'gainft yourfclf you be incensed, we'll put you
(Like one that means his proper harm,} in mana-
cles^
^1
if, tlie neuter; and that ts/^ermn^ In iH muiicJil fcnfc. Is not fo
»ncteftt as the age of Shakfpearc, What Martial has faid of Mutiui
Sc3rvola» may however be applied to Dr* Warburtoa's propofcd
^f mmdatton ; — ^
Si ft§9i ffidjei^ fcccrai iik mmus * Strive NS.
Bullokar in his Engiifi Mxfofihr, 8v o, 1616, interprets ihc word
Overture thus; " An oventirnitig ; a fuddcn change." The latter
fenfc fuitik the prefcnt paCagc fufficiently well, onderftanding the
word him to mean iV,as Mr- Steevens has very properly explained it.
When fte^l grows foft m filk, let filk be /Mdd^nlj cmvtncd to the
ofe of war-
We have many expreflions equally HccntioiB in ihcfe plays. By
Jltfi Marcius means a coai ofmaiL So, in Kmg Htmrj PL P* IH :
•* Shall we go threw away our emu uf fied^
■* And wrap our bodies in black mourning gowns ?"
Sbakrpcarc has introduced a fimilar image in R<imf(^ mid Juikti
" Thy beaaty haih made me efFeminate,
*• And in my temper fififn'd *uakttri ft^tL'^
Overture ^ 1 have obfcrved {ince this note was written, was ufed
by the writers of Shakfpeare's time in the fcnfe of prelude or prt^
farmkn* It is {q uicd by Sir John Davies and Philemon Holland.
CORIOLANUS.
55
I
Then reafon fafcly with you, — Therefore, be it
knowrij
As to ns^ to all the world* that Caius Marcius
Wears this war*3 garland: in token of the which^
My noble fteed, known to the camp, I give him.
With alt his trim belonging; and, from this time^
For what he did before Corioli, call him/
With all the applaufe and clamour of the hoft,
Caius Marcius Coriolanus.^ — Bear
The addition nobly ever!
[F/ouri/b, Trumpets founds and drums »
All. Caius Marcius Coriolanus 1
Cor. I will go wa(h|
nd when my face is fair, you fhall perceive
Whether I blulh, or no: Hovvbeit, I thank you;—
I mean to llride your ftecd ; and, at all times.
To undercreft your good addition.
To the fairnefs of my power**
^ Fer ^at he did &c,] So, in the old tranflation of Phtarch •
•* After this fKowtc and noyfc of the aflembly waf fomewliai ajv
p^fcd, ihc con fill Cominius bcgannc to fpeake in tliia forte* Wc
cannot compdl Martius to cake thefc giftes we offer him, if he will
not receauc ihem j but wc will geyc him fuche a rewarde for the
noble fcraice he hath done, as nc cannot refufe. Therefore wc
4oe order and decree, that hcncefonh he be called Csrhlanm^ onlct
hU valiant ads haue wonnc him thai name before onr nomination."
Steevens,
* The folio — Marat s Cams Corklanus, Steevens,
^ Ti undercreft j^^wr gocd addition,
!'& ihe faimf/i &/ my p9^er^\ A phrafe from heraldry, Hgni-
fying, that he would endeavour to fupport his good opinion of
kim, Warbueto.v*
I nnderJiand the meaning to be, to ill nj! rate this honourable
diftin^ion you have conferred on me by frefh defcrvings to tlie
Oittm of my power* To t^fiderfr^^, I fhould guefjs, (igniHcs pro^
pcrjy, to wear beneath the creft as a part of a coat of arms. The
name or lUlc now given feems to he conlidercd m the creft ; ^^
E 4
56 C O R I O L A N U 5.
Com. ; So, to our tent :
Where, ere we do repofe us, we )vill write
To Rome of our fucceis, — You, Titus L^rtiur,
Mull to Coripli back : fend us to Rome
'The bed,* with whoniwc may articulate,^
^I^'or their own good, and ours. '
Lart. I Ihall, my lord.
GoR. The gods begin to mock me. I that now
Refus'd moft princely gifts, am bound to beg
Of my lord general.
* Com. Take it : 'tis yours. — ^Whatis't?
Cor. I fometime lay, here in Corioli,
At a pogr man's houfe ; * he us*d me kindly :
He cry'd to me ; I faw him prifoner ;
iSiit then Aufidius was within my view.
And wrath o'erwhelm'd my pity : I requeft you
promifcd future achievements as the future additions to that coat.
Heath.
• When two engage on equal terms^ we fay it is fat'r; faimefs may
therefore be equality \ in proportion equal to my ponuer. Johnson.
* " To the fairnefs of my power" — is, as fairly as I can.
M. Mason.
• The hefi^ The cbse/ men of Corioli. Johnson.
^ — twith ivhom nue may articulate,] i. e. euter into articles.
This word occurs agaiain /i>«r^ /A^. Ati V. fc. i :
«' Indeed thefc things you have articulated."
1. e. fet down article by article. So, in Holinihed's Chronicles rf
Ireland t p. 163 : " The earl of Defmond's trcafons articulated**
Stbbvbns*
^ At a poor man 5 houfe ;] So, in the old tranflation oi Plutarch :
•« Only this grace (faid he) I craue, and befceche you to grant me.
Among the Voices there is an old friende and hofte of mine, an
honeft wedkhie man, and now a prifoner, who lining before in
great wealth in his owne countrie, liueth now a poore prifoner in
the handes of his enemies : and yet notwithftanding all this his
miferie and misfortune, it would doe me great pleai^re if I coald
faue him from this one daunger : to keepe mm from being foklc «s
aflaue/' Stesvens,
C OR I O L A N U S. 57
To give my poor hoft freedom.
Com. O, well begg*d !
Were he the butcher of my fon, he fhould
Be free, as is the wind.' Deliver him, Titus.
Lart. Marcius, his name ?
Cor. By Jupiter, forgot : —
I am weary ; yea, my memory is tir'd. —
Have we no wine here ?
Com. Go we to our tent :
The blood upon your vifage dries : 'tis time
It fliould be look'd to : come. \^Exeunt.
S C E N E X/
7be Camp of the Voices.
Aflourijb. Cornets. Enter Tullus Aufidius bloody,
with two or three foldiers.
AuF. The town is ta*en !
I. Sol. 'Twill be delivered back on good con-
dition.
AuF. Condition?—
I would, I were a Roman ; for I cannot.
Being a Voice, be that I am.^ — Condition !
' 'free^ as is th^ win/d.] So, in As jou like it:
** — I muft have liberty ^
** Withal, as large a charter tff /^^ wW." Ma lone.
* 4 Being a Voice, Arc.] It may be juft obferved, that Shak-
fpeare calb the Volcu Volcest which the modern editors have
cnanged to the modern termination [ Volcian.] I mention it here,
bccaufe here the change has fpoiled tne meafure :
Being a Voice, be that I am^'^Candition I Joh n so n .
C O R I O L A N U S.
What good condition can a treaty find
V the part that is at mercy ? Five times, Marcius>
I have fought with thee; fo often haft thou beat
me I
And wouId*ft do fo, I think, (hould we encounter
As often as we eat. — By the elements.
If e'er again I meet him beard to beard/
He is mine, or I am his : Mine emulation
Hath not that honour in't, it had ; for where *
I thought to crulh him in an equal force,
(True fword to fword,} MI potch at him fomc
way ; ^*
Or wrath, or craft, may get him.
J* Sol. He*s the dcviL
Auf. Bolder, though not fo fubtle : My valour'i
poifon*d/ J
I
The Ffl/f/ arc called Phk^i in Sir Thomas North's Piaimrcht and
fo J ha%'e printed the word throughout this tm^dy. SxEEviNi*
4 m^et kirn brard to beard,] So, in Machnh:^
*' Wemight ha^^emet ihcm darcful, htard i(i heard — /'
Steevens,
5 f&r where — ] Whtrt is cfcd here, as in many otlier places,
for nji^her€0f* M A L o 3ri«
^ 77/ potch at him fimi nx^^ij ;] Mr, Heath reads — p^ih %
hni ptch^ to which the objedion is made as no EngliOi word, i%
ufed in the midland counties for a rtiuih, ^vmieni p»fif* Ste evens.
Cole in h is D i c ti o it a i t , 1675, renders ♦* to p^he^ * * futtdum
§nphrart. The inodent word pt^kt is onJjr a bard prone neiarion of
thS* word* So to th was former!)* written to tch* M a l o n e »
In Carew's ^nt^fy of CffntnA^all^ the word pi^tchh ufcd in almoil
the fame fenfc, p. ji : '* Thc^' ufe alfo to pcht ihcm ffifh) with
an inilrumcni fomewhat like a falmon*fpeare/' Tollet,
1 — My ^almr'^sp^ifindj Bcc.] 7*he conflruftion of this paffagt
would be clearer^ if it were wriiicn thua ;
mj vaIoar» p^i/m*d
Wiih 9rt/j Jhfrriftg Jfattt hy him^ /ir h/m
ShnU/j OKI pf itffif^ Tt R w H I T T#
7
I
I
I
C O R I O L A N U S,
$9
With only fefFcring^ltain by him; for him
Shall fly outof itfelf:^ norflecp, nor fanduary.
Being naked, fick ; nor faae> nor Capitol,
(The prayers of pricfts, nor times of facrifice,
Embarquemcntsall of fury,^ ftiall lift up
Their rotten privilege and cuftom 'gainft
My hate to Marcius : where I find him, were it
At home, upon my brother's guard/ even there
Againft the hofpitable canon, would I
Wafh my fierce hand in his heart. Go you to the
city;
The amendmeot propofcd by Tvrwbitt would make the conflruc^
tioii clear ; but I (hmk the paffage wiU run better thus, and with
ai ihflc (Jcviatton from the text : —
my valour's poifon'd ;
fVhkh only fuffcring (lain by him, for bioi
Shall fly out of itfelf. M* Ma5on<
* * Jkr him
ShoiJ fy oKt of iffel/:} To mifchief him, my valour (houli
* tt/mm its own native generofity- Johnsoh,
* — nor fit ep^ nor fan^mirj i Set,
EmhAvqMcnitntitil/o/fifry, &c.] The word, in rhe old copy,
il tpe^lt em£trftnrm^tit and, m Cotgrave hys^ meant not only an
fmbtftit&iHm^ hut an <-mbarg&mg* Tht rotUft privil^gf mtd cufiam
ihat follow, fecTTi to favotjr this explanation, and therefore the old
reading may well enough Hand, as an tm barge h undoubtedly an
In Sherwood** Englifh and French Di^ionary u the end of Cot*
giave^^ we fiiid :
*' To imbark, to imbargue. Emhar^vfn
" An imb^rking, an imbarguing, Bmhnrq^^mrnt***
Cole in hb Latin Didionan% J 679, ha* *' to M^rgnet or lay
an imk^T^o upon*'* There can be no doubt tlrcrcforc ihat the old
copy is nghi. — -If wcderi^-e the word from the Snanifh, embmgar^
perhaps wc ought to write em&argfmfnt; but Shakfpeare's word
certainly came to os from the French ^ and therefore is more pro-
perly written ^^^^ir^w/'wrff/f, OT emharkmtntit Maloi^e*
» Ai b&mr^ Upon flfjf hroiktrs gmrj^^ In my own houfe, with
my brother poftcd to proiei^ him, Johns<in,
So. in OthcllD :
•* ,p>»^- and 9» the court of guard 1—,** Stecvihi,
6o C O R I O L A N U S.
Learn, how 'tis held ; and what they arc, that muft
Be hoftages for Rome.
I. Sol* Will not you go?
AuF. I am attended • at the cyprefs grove :
I pray you,
('Tis fouth the city mills,') bring me word thither
How the world goes ; that to the pace of it
I may fpur on my journey.
. I. Sol. Ifhall, fir. [Exeunt^
* attended — ] i. c. waited for. So, in Tiveifth-Nigbi :
«• — — thy intercepter — mteudt thcc at the orchard end.'*
Stbbvens*
* ('77/ fouth the city mills,) ] But where could Shakfiwaie
have heard of thefe mills at Antium r I believe we fhould read:
('Tis fouth the city a mile.)
The old edition reads rruls. Tyrwhitt.
Shakfpeare is feldom careful about fuch little improprieties.
. Coriolanus fpeaks of our divines ^ and Menenius of graves in the
holy churchyard. It is faid afterwards, that Coriolanus talks like
a knell \ and drums, and Hob and Dick» are with as little attention
to time or place, introduced in this tragedy. Steevbns.
Shakfpeare frequently introduces thofe minute local defcriptionsp
Mobably to give an air of truth to his pieces. So, in Romeg and
Juliet:
*' underneath the grove of^camore,
«♦ That ivejlivard rooteth from the city's fide."
Again:
" It was the nightingale and not the lark
** Nightly (he fings on yon pomegranate tree,*'
Mr. Tyrwhitt 's queftion, ** where could onakfpeare have heard
of thefe mills at Antium ?*' may be anfwered by another queftion :
Where could Lydgate hear of the mills near Troy ?
«♦ And as 1 ride upon this flode,
** On eche fyde many a my lie ftode,
$* When nedc was their graine and corne to grinde," &Q|
Auncyent Hiftorie^ &c. 1555. Ma Lone.
C O R I O L A N U S.
ftf»
..ii ^,..« - ii .
ACT II. SCENE L
Rome* A publick Place,
£?//rr Menenius^ SicrNius, and^^VTV%,
Men, The augurcr tells mc, we (hall have news
to-night.
5jii;* Good, or bad ?
Me?^* Not according to the prayer of the people,
for they love not Marcius,
Sic^ Nature teaches beafts to know their friends.
Men* Pray you, who does the wolf love?*
Sic* The lamb.
Men, Ay^ to devour him ; as the hungry pie*
beians would the noble Marcius,
£ru* He's a lamb indeed, that baes like a bear.
Men* He*s a bear, indeed, that lives like a lamb.
You two arc old men; tell me one thing that I
ihall alk you,
Both Trie. Well, fir-
Men* In what enormity is Marcius poor,^ that
you two have not in abundance?
^ PrayyoMt, &c,] When the tribune^ in ttpfy to Menenki'*
remark, on the pcople^s hotr of Coftolanus, nad obfen-ed that
even iftafif kft^.o their frirrrdtf Mdienius aflts^ tv/j^m d&ts th^ *w&if
isvf ^ implying that there are I^eafts which love nobody, and that
among ihofe bcafb arc the people. Joh kson,
^ In rwhat enormiij is Marcim /s^r,] [Old copy-^poor />/*] Here
we have another of our author's peculiar modes of phrafeobgyj
which, however J the modern edkors hii\c not fuScrcd him to re*
tain ; having difmiflcd the redundant m at the end of ihis part of
the fentence. Ma lone*
I ftvall continue to difmtfs U, till fuch pccyliaritici can^ b/ autho-
«2
C O R I O L A N U S.
Br u. H e's poor in no one fault, but ftor'd with all.
Sic. Efpecially, in pride*
Brv. And topping all others in boafting,
Men. This is ftrange now : Do you two know
how you are cenfured here in the city, I mean of
us o' the right-hand file? Do you ?
Born Trie. Why, how are we cenfured ?
Men. Becaufe you talk of pride now,— WilJ you
not be angry ?
Both Trie. Well, well, fir> welL
Mek. Why, *tis no great matter ; for a very little
thief of occafion will rob you of a great deal of pa-
tience : give your difpofition the reins, and be an-
gry at your plcafures ; at the leaft, if you take it as
a pleafure to you, in being fo* You blame Mar-
cius for being proud ?
Bru. We do it not alone, fir*
Men^ I know, you can do very little alone; for
your helps arc many; or elfe your a(5tions would
grow^ wondrous fingle : your abilities are too in-
fant-I i ke, for doing much alone. You talk of pride ;
O, that you could turn your eyes towards the napes
of your necks/' and make but an interior furvcy of
your good felves ! O, that you could !
tlt^t be difciimmated froin ihc corruptions of the ftage, the tnin-
fcribcfj or the printer.
It ss fcarce crcdibie* that» in the cxpreflion of a common idea,
in profe, our raodcit f!ihakipcaic ihould have advanced a phmk^
6\Qp- oihU own, in equal defiance of cullomary language, awi
ciUxiU(hed grammar*
As, on the prcf:nt occafioiit the word — m might have liood with
Dfopriecy at either end of the queflion, it has been cafaaUyt of
ignorantly , infcrted at bo Ui • 5> r s e v £ k s .
* tQm&nis ih ftajtti &f ymr mch^ With tllufion to th«
Itble* which fays, that ewry man has a bag hanging before him^
in uhich he puts hU neighbour's faul^t, and anothcf behind him^
in which he ftoKi hti own* JoaifiOK.
I
I
CORIOLANUS.
63
I
^jic;. What thcn^fir?
3f EiV, Why> then you fhould difcovcr a brace of
unmeridngi proud, violent, tefty magiftrates^ (alias,
fools,) as any in Rome.'
Sic* Menenius, you arc known well enough too*
M£h\ I am known to be a humorous patrician,
and one that loves a cup of hot wine with not a
drop of allaying Tiber in*t ; * faid to be fomething
impcrfcd, in favouring the firfl: complaint ; hafty,
and tinder-like, upon too trivial motion: one that
converfcs more with the buttock of the night,^ than
with the forehead of the morning. What I think,
I uncr; and fpend my malice in my breath : Meet-
ing two fuch weals-men as you are, (I cannot call
yoy Lycurgufes) if the drink you give me, touch
my palate adverfely, I make a crooked face at it, I
cannot fay,* your worfhips have delivered the mat-
^ ■ — G Brace of ttnmfrhittpy — mspflrafest — as any in i?o«^.]
Thlft was th€ f^brafeolo^ of Shak(pcare*s a^» of which 1 have
met with many uiitances in the books of that time. Mr. Pope# it
ufual, reduced the pafl!age to the modern ftandard, by reading — ft
brace of 41J unmcriting, &c, as any in Rome; and aH the fubfo-
qaent edtton have adopted hi& ecnendatioD^ Malohe«
* ^mth mt a dmp sf allaying Tiber m*i ;] LoTrclacCj in hit
Vafe to jiiihfa/T^m Prifin^ has borrowed this cxpreflion :
** When flowing cups run fwiftly round
" ^ith no aliajhigThamffy** &c.
Sec Dr. Percy's Btiifu^s S^, Vol. IL p* 524, 3d tdk. Stee ve ns*
9 ^fie tifai e&mitrfh m&re &c,] Rather aUte tier down than
m early rifcr. Job »ion.
SO( in jU^'j Labmr*$ L^ft : ** It is the king's mofl fweet pleafurc
ifui afie^&iit to congratulate the princef^ at her pavition, in die
fsfierien afthh day \ which the rude multitude callj the aftcrnooii.'*
Agaiilj in Kmg Hemry IF, P. II :
•• — Tfiou art a fummer bird,
*' Which ever in \\yt haunch ofwintrr Cngs
** Tbc lifting up of day," Malone.
— -/ cannot /<rjr,] A*e#j which ap|5cars to have been omitied
i cbe old copy* by ncgligeacc, wa* iiuertcd by Mr. Theobaltl.
MilLOlfEt
64
C O R I O L A^N U
tcr well^ when I find the afs in compound with the
major part of your fyilablcs : and though 1 muft
be content to bear with thofe that fay you are re-
verend grave men; yet they lie deadly, that tell^
you have good faces* If you fee this in the map of
my microcofm/ follows it, that I am known well
enough too?' What harm can your biflbn confpec-
tuities ' glean out of this charailer, if I be known
well enough too ?
Bru. Come^ fir, come, we know you well enough.
Men. You know neither mc, yourfelvcs, nor any
thing. You are ambitious for poor knaves* caps
and legs ; * you wear out a good w holefome fore-
noon,* in hearing a caufe between an orange- wife
and a foflTct-fcller ; and then rejourn the contro-
verfy of three-pence to a fccond day of audience, —
When you are hearing a matter between party and
party, if you chance to be pinch'd with the cholick,
yoo make faces like mummers ; fet up the bloody
flag againft all patience;* and, in roaring for a
chamberpot, difmifs the controverfy bleeding, the
I
* mj mkfve^/rn,] So, in Kmg Leor :
" Sirivcs, in hk ititle ivoriJ&fman — ,*' STfivms,
* blifon ce^ff^fBttitifs^] Biffon^ blind » in ihc old copies, it
ifffrmff TcHoral by Mr, Theobald. John so *r*
SOj in Hamht :
*' Ran barefoot tip and down, threatening the fliiziiei,
" With hifm ihmm.'* Malone^
* fir pmr Irrav^i* caps afrd /rgs :} That is, for thcir obci-
fance (ho wed by howtng to you. To make a Ifg was the phrafe of
our author*! time for .1 bow. See Vol* VIJL p. 47 1* n* 6* M a l o n i,
* y^ti iM^rmt a gmiUt*\ It appears from ibii whole fpcech
that Shakfpcare miftook iKc office of ^r^ftMm urhn for the tri-
bune's office, \Vk%%vktc$^.
* — —fit up ii^f i^L-Jj fl4ig agahfi 4dl patience ;] TImt li, declare
war agumtt t-aucnce* iliere is not wit enough m tiui latue to
rccompcnfc us grofrnc^. Jomtioif.
CORIOLANUS.
65
I
more entangled by your hearing: all the peace you
nuke in their caull\ is, calling both the parties
knaves ; You are a pair of ftrangc ones.
Bmu. Come, come, you are well underftood to
be a pcrfe£ter giber for the tabic, than a ncceflary
bencher in the Capitol,
Mes* Our very priefts mufl: become mockerS| if
they fliall encounter fuch ridiculous fubjed:s as you
arc* When you fpeak bell: unto the purpofe, it h
not worth the wagging of your beards ; and your
beards deferve not lo honourable a grave, as to fluff
a botchers cuihion, or to be entombed in an afs's
pack-faddle. Yet you muft be faying, Marcius is
proud ; who, in a cheap eftimation, is worth alt
your predeceflbrs, fince Deucalion ; though^ per*
tdvcnture, fomeof the beft of them m ere hereditary
hangmen. Good e'en to your worftiips ; more of
your converfation would infecft my brain, being the
herd fm en of the beaftly plebeians : * I will be bold
to take my leave of you,
[Brutits andSiQiKivs retire,
£if/^rVoLUMNiA, ViRGiLiA^ tfff^/ Valeria, &c.
How now, my as fair as noble ladies, (and the
moon, were fhe earthly, no nobler,) whither do you
follow your eyes fo fall ?
FoL, Honourable Menenius, my hoy Marcius
approaches ; for the love of Juno, let's go.
Men. Ha ! Marcius coming home?
I 0«r tvtf prujis muft beeame m^ckerit if thfy J^alt tnimnUr /acb
wiikmkms fuhjtfit at jm ^re* ] So, in Much ado ahuf Saihmg :
** Cofincfy iifclf muft convert to difdain, if yoa com* in her pr«-
• yrdfmiH aj fUhtimi 0 Aj king* are called wtt^\t\%
Vol. XII. F
66
CORIOLANUS,
FoL. Ayi worthy Meneniusi and with moft
profperous approbation. ^
Mbat. Take my cap, Jupiter, and I thank thee:*—
Hod! Marcius coming home ! h
^wo LjiDiEs. Nay, 'tis true. V
FoL. Look, here's a letter from him ; the ftate
hath another, his wife another ; and, I thinks there's ■
one at home for you, ™
Men. I will make my very houfe reel to night:
—A letter for me ? fl
Fir. Yes, certain, thcre*s a letter for you ; I faw it*
Men. a letter for me? It gives me an eftate of ™
feven years' health ; in which time, I will make a ■
lip at the phyfician: the moft fovereign prcfcrip-
tion in Galen ^ is but empiricutick/ and, to this pre* h
fcrvative, of no better report than a horfe-drench* ■
Is he not wounded ? he was wont to come home
wounded.
Fir, O, no, no, no.
FoL, O, he is wounded, I thank the gods for't.
Men* So do I too, if it be not too much :—
Brings 'a vidlory in his pocket? — The wounds be-
come him.
I
® Take my cap, Jupiur^ and i thmi ih^e:^ Dr. Warbuftas
propofed to read, Take my cup, Jstpiier, — Reed.
Shakfpcarc (o often mciuiojis throwing up caps in this play,
that Menenms may be well enough fuppofed to throw tip hk cip
in thanks to Jupiter. Johnsok. {
9 —i„ G^Un — ] An anachronifm of near 6^0 years, Mcncnins
floiirifhed anno U< C, 260, about 491 years before the birth of our
Saviour. — Galen was born in the year of our Lord ijo, flourished
about the year 1 fj or 1 6o» and lived to the year 200. Grey,
* fmpirioiikk^ The old copies — ^mfirkkqutiquu •' The
moil fovereign prcfcription in Galen (fays Menenms) is to this
ncw« hoc trnpiruutk ; an adjective evidently formed by the authoc
from m}mc {em^mfuti F.J a quack/' Ritso.^^
C O R I O L A N U S.
67
Fot* Oa's brows, Menenius:* he comes the
third time home with the oaken garland.
Men* Has he difciplined Aufidius foundly ?
yoL, Titus Lartius writes^ — they fought toge-
ther, but Aufidius got off.
Mrn* And 'twas time for him toO| I'll warrant
him that : an he had ft aid by him, I would not
have been fo fidius'd for all the chefts in Corioli,
and the gold that*s in them, Isthefenate poflefs'd
of this ?^
FoL. Good Iadics> let's go: — Yes, yes, yes : the
lenatc has letters from the genera], wherein hegives
p
I
i 0«'f ^r^wf, Mentnius A Mr. M. Mafon propofes that there
fbould be a comma placed after Mecetnus ; On's brow^^ Mctienius,
he com«s the tliird time home with the oaken garland, " for/*
%*^s the coramentacor, " it was the oaken garland, not the wonnds,
ih^t Volumnia fa)^ he bad on his brows." In Juiim C^/ar wo
iml a dialogue exadly fimilar :
'* Csi/1 No» it is Cafca ; one incorporate
*' To our attempts* — Am I not ft aid for, Cinna }
** Cm* I am glad orCu
L c- I ajn glad that Cfafca is incorporate, &c.
Bui he appears to me to have milapprchendcd the paflTage. Vb-.
kmnia anfwcrs Menenius, without taking notice of his laft words,
— •* The wounds become him." Menenius had afkod — Brings he
r\€iotY in his/o^if/^ He brings it, favs Volumnia^ on his bro^t^
fi>r he comes the third lime home knyw-hund with the oaken gar-*
Und, the emblem of vi^ory. So, afterwards;
•* He prov'd beft man o' the field, and for his meed,
*« Was i^^oi^-bound wirh the <wi/*
If thefe words did not admit of fo clear an explanation, (in which
iTie conceit is truly ShakfpcarknJ the arrangement propofcd hf
Mr. M, Mafon might perhaps be admitted, though it j& extremely
harih, aad the inverfion of the natural order of ihe words not much
is oor author's manner in his profe writings. M alone.
4 poflef&M ij//^/i?J Pnft/s'd^ in our author's language, 11
folly itiibrmcd - Johnson.
So, in T'ht Merchant &f P^tnke ;
*' J have p^JlfeJkd your grace of what I purpofe — .**
F 2
£8
C O R I O L A N U S.
mv fon the whole name of the war : he hath in thii ,
adion
Fal
jtdone
former deeds doubly.
In troth, there's wondrous things fpokc of
him.
Men. Wondrous? ay, I warrant you, and not
without his true purchafing.
FiR^ The gods grant them true I
Vol, True? pow, wow.
Men* True ? V\\ be fworn they are true i — Where
is he wounded? — God fave your good worfhips!
\Ta the Tribunes.'] Marcius is coming home: he has
more caufe to be proud. — Where is he wounded ?
FoL. V the flioulder, and i' the left arm: There
will be large cicatrices to (how the people, when
he fhall ftand for his place. He received in the
repulfe of Tarquin, f^ntn hurts i' the body.
Men. One in the neck, and two in the thigh^—
there's nine that I know.*
FoL. He had, before this laft expedition, twenty-
five wounds upon him.
, Mbn* Now it's twenty-feven : every gafh was an
enemy's grave: [Afimi^ mtd flourifi.] Hark, the
trumpets,
FoL. Thefe are the ufhers of Marcius : before him
I
* /n^» hurts $ccj\ Old copy — fevcn hurts i* ihe B^Jy*
Meo. One /' tht nickt ^»^ two /* ihf thigh ; — th^n*! nine ihmi
I kne^. Seven, — one, — and two, and thefe make but nincl
Surely, we may fafely affift Menenms in his ariihmetick, Thi« pi
a ftupid blunder ; but wherever we ean account by a probable rea^.
Ion lor the caufe of it, that direds the emendation* Here it was
cafy for a negligent tranfcriber to omit ihc fecond w»r, as a needlcf»
repetition of the fir^, and to make a numeral word of ftw,
Warduhtok,
The old man, agreeable lo his charadl:er, is minutely particular ;
Sf^fn fwoufids ? itt mt fee ; ene in the n^ckt t*w& ift the tbi^h^Naj^
I am fare then are mere^ thnt &re wmt thai I kno^ ^/m U p TOl«»
I
CORIOLANUS.
69
I
He carries noiic, and behind him he leaves tears 1
Death, that dark fpirit, in's nervy arm doih lie ;
Which being ad vanc'd, declines j*^ and then men
die.
A Sennets Trumpets found* Enter Cominius and
Titus Lartius; between them^ Coriolanus,
crowned with an oaken garland; with captains and
iidiers, and a Herald.
■ crc
'iJt. Know, Rome, that all alone Marcius did
fight
Within Corioli' gates ; where he hath won.
With fame, a name to Caius Marcius ; thefe
In honour follows, Corjoknus:^ —
Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus ! lFlouri/&,
All. Welcome to Rome, renowned Coriolanus !
Co it. No more of this, it does offend my heart;
Pray now, no more.
CoM» Look, fir, your mother,^ —
Coir, O!
You have, I know, petitioned all the gods
For my profperiey. [Kneels*
For. Nay, my good foldier, up;
My gentle Marcius, worthy Caius, and
* W^kh htng ffit^anc'd, dcdinti ;] Volumfiia^ in her boaflmg
ftmiii fays, chat her fon to kill his cnetn)^ has nothing to do but
ta life his hand up and let it iaU. JoansoK,
? Cflr»/«jww.] The old copy, Mitrtlm C&tm C^datmu
Stesvess.
TTic compofitorj it is highly probable, caught the words Misrfha
CaiMs from the preceding line, where alfo in the old copy the
ori^Qsil name* of Coriolanus are accidentally tranfpofed. The
corpe€lioti in the former line was made by Mr. Rowe ; ia the Utter
br Mr, Sieereos* M a t o w e .
F3
70
C O R I O L A N U S.
By deed-achieving honour newly nam'd.
What is it ? Coriolanus, muft I call thee ?
But O, thy wife —
Cor, My gracious filence, hail ! •
Would' ft thou have laugh'd, had 1 come coffin'd
home.
That weep'ft to fee me triumph ? Ah, my dear.
■ Mj gradoarjfl^cf, hmlf} The epithet to fihnct ihows it not
to proceed from rcfcrvc or fdlennefs, but to be the effe^ of a vij-
tuoiis mind poffeflitig itfelf in peace^ The ejtpreffion is exiremdf
ftiblime ; and the fenfc of it conveys the fiacfl praifc that can be
given to a good woman. Was.burtok*
By my gmtkm fien€t^ I believe, the poet meant, th&u 'wJk/e
^itmt Uari ure mare rftt^mnt and gmttf/i iQ me, ikmt ikt ciam&mm
0jtf/a»fir of the refi / So, Crafhaw :
•' Sententious fliowVs ! O ! kt them fall !
" Their cadence is rhetoricsK" I
Again, in Lonfi*i C»re, or The Martial Matd of Beaumont and
Fletcher:
" A lady*s tears are ii!«fnt oratorSj
** Or (hould be fo ,it k.ift, to move beyond
** The honey-tongucd rhetorician.'*
Again f in Daniers Cum^Tuhit af Rc/a^^ndt ' 599 ■
" Ah beauty t fyrcn, fair enchanting good 1
** Sweet fiJent rhetoriclc of pcrftiading eyes J
** Dumb eloqi!*::ncej whofe power doth move the blood*
*' Mofe than che words, or wifdom of the wife!"
Again, in E'vefy Man si/t ^f hii Humour -"
■* You fhall fee fwcet fiffn rket&rickt and drnnh e/^titfrce fpeak-
ing in her eye/' Steevens*
1 believe •* My grackut filcnce/' only means ** My hinme^m
filcncc.'* Of *• my filent Grace/' Gracious feems to have had the
fame meaning formerly thar^r^^^it/hai at this day* So, in The
M^rckaul of Venice ,-
M But being feafon'd with a gramus voice."
Again, in KhgJdM.'
" There wa3 not fuch a grades crcatare born/*
Again, in Marfton's Malecanteni, 1 6o\ : — " he is chc moft ex*
quiJjtcin forging of veines, fpright'ning of C)Xi, dying of haire,
flecking of !kianc9, blu(hing of checkc*. &c. that ever made ai^
old lady gracimi by torchlight." Maloki.
CORIOLANUS.
71
Such eyes the widows in Corioli wear*
And mothers chat tack fons.
Mmn. Now the godi crown thee !
Cor. And live you yet? — O my fweet lady, par-
don. [Ta Valeria.
Fql. I know not where to turn ; — ^O welcome
home I
And welcome, general; — And you are welcome all,
Mmn. a hundred thoufand welcomes : I could
weep.
And I could laugh ; I am light, and heavy: Wel-
come :
A curfe begin at very root of his heart.
That is not glad to fee thee 1 — You are three.
That Rome Ihould dote on ; yet, by the faith of
men,
Wc have fome old crab-trees here at home, that
will not
Be grafted to your relifti. Yet welcome, warriors :
We call a nettle, but a nettle j and
The faults of fools, but folly.
Com. Ever right.
Com. Menenius, ever, ever.'
» Com* E^er right.
lUtbert I think :
Com. Eifer righi Mtnenim,
Cor< E^tTf r^ver*
Comlmm mcam to fay, that — Mencnius n alimn tht fame \^
irums his old humour. So, in Julius defar^ Ad V. fc, i, upoa
1 rpecch from CaOitis, Antony only (^ys^^-^Old Caffius fiilL
Tyrwhitt.
^ By thcfe words, as they ftand in rhe old copy, I believe, Co*
fiolaout mean* to fay — Mcnenlus is ftill the fame affe^Honatc friend
»i fbnncrly. So, in Juiim Catjhr : " — for ai<w^ji I am C^/ar,'*
MAt,0|IE»
F4.
72 CO RI QL A.N U S.
Her. Give wajr thcre^ and go oh,.
Cor. Your hand, and yottfs t
' . : ' [To bis wife and mother^
^re in our own houfe I do made my head^
The good patricians muft be vifited ;
JFrom whom I have received not only greetings,
i3ut with them change of honours.*
Vol. I have liv'd '
To fee inherited my very wifhes.
Arid the buildings of my fancy : only there
Is one thing wanting^ which I doubt not^ but
Our Rome will call updn thee.
Cor. Know, good mother^
I had rather be their fervant in my way^
Than fway with them in theirs.
Com. On, to the Capitol.
. [Fhurijh. Comets. Exeunt in Jiatey as before.
The Tribunes come forward.
Bkv. All tongues fpeak of him, and the bleared
. fights
Are fpedacled to fee him : Your pratling nurfe ^
Into a rapcore * lets her baby cry.
■ But *with them change of honours.'] So all the editions read.
But Mr. Theobald has ^ventured (as he expreiTrs it) to- jAfiihiU
charge. For change^ he thinks^ is a 'aery poor exprefflmt^ /micom^
munkates but a 'very poor idea. He had better have told the plain
trathy and confeHed that it commmdcattd none at all to him. Howe*
ver, it has a very good one in itfelf ; and fignifics 'variety of honours ;
as. change ofraymivl, ftnM>tig the wnfien of that time, fignified oftf*
riety of rqpneni. Waeburton.
Change offw^gent 18 z phraft that occurs not unfrcquently in the
OidTeftament. St e evens.
. * Into a fajtolre •] Rapture^ a common term at that timb
ofedfora'fity fimply. So, to be rap* d, iignified, tobemafit^
Warburtoh.
* If the explanation of Biihop Warburton be allowed, a rapture
C O R I O L A N U S^ 73
While flie chats him : the kitchen malkin * pins
k
I
means a fit ; bat it does ttot appear from fht note where the word
ii uled m ihat fciifc* The tight word k in all probabiHtf ruptnn,
to which chikircn arc liable fiom cxceffive fits of crying, Ttui
emeti^aiioo was the piaperty of a very Lngemous fcllolar long beioie
I iud any cbim to it, S. W.
That a child will *' cry itfelf into ills," k ftill a commoa pbrafc
In ^r^ilm and Crfffida^ raptttrci figuifies nrvi/rgs ;
'* hi£T hmn^ck raji/ur ft
" Catinm dittaile the gcKxIrrefa of a qtianel/'
I lia»c not mec with the word rapturt in the fenfe of *// h) any
book of oirr authors age, nor found if iit any didionafy previouf
Id Cole's I^tin Dieliona^y, 1^79, He renders the word by the
I ti^^t, which he intcrpi^ts a fr^mee. However, the role —
^'MS ^pmr^tihMi ft it mn txifltmihmf eadem ^fl ralh — ccrrainTv
lioti not hoJid# when applied to the u^ of wonts. Had we qU
the booki of our auEhoc*s age* ami had wc read them all, it then
piighc be urged* — Drayton fpeaking of Marlowe, fays his mptum
wcic " ail air and fire*" Ma lone.
< iht kitchen milkin — ] A tnaukitij or malkin, i$ a kind
of mop made of clouts for the ufc of fweeping ovens: tlicacc a
&^g^]Siit] £gure of clouts drcfTed up : theuce a (Hrty wench.
Hanmei.
Msjdm in fotnepnrts of England fignifies a figure of clouts fet up
to fright birds in gaixlcns : a fcare-crow* P,
MaUm is properly the diminutiv^e of Mai (Mary) ; as Wilkin^
fmdkiM^ &c- In Scotland, pronounced Mdft^/>, it fignifics a j&^nr,
Ofw^ maikiti (corruptly grimalkift) is a cat^ The kHckat maikiu 1*
jii t!jc fame as the kitektn Madg^ or M^/s : the fcullion. Ritson^
Mjnfheugiyes the fame explanation of thi§ term, as Sir T, Han-
Oicr km done, calling it ** an inllrument to dean an ovcu,^-'-now
oajdc of old clowtes/* The etymology which Dr. Johnfon has
gireo in hii di^ojxary — ** Malkjn, from Mai or Mary^ and
Jw, the di mini rive termi nation, "^ — is, I apprehend, erroneous.
The kitchen- wench vciy naturally takes her name from this word,
as/f»///v/r, Anorher of her tirk$, is in like manner derived from
fjcatiii/m, the French term for the utenfil called a malhtu
Malonf,
After the morris-dance degenerated into a piece of coarfc buf-
fooiiriyt and Mmd Mjrmn was pcrfr nated by a clown, this once
eh^gwit queen of May obt nncd the name of Maikift* To thil
Beaitmocft and f leecher lUadc in Mmjkur Thsmm i
i
74
CORIOLANUS.
Her richeft lockram * 'bout her reechy neck/
Clambering the walls to eye him : Stalls, bulks^
windows,
Are fmother'd up, leads fill'd, and ridges hors'd
With variable complexions J all agreeing
In earneftnefs to fee him : feld-Hiown flamens*
Do prefs among the popular throngs, and puff
To win a vulgar ftation : ^ our veiPd dames
'* Put on the ihape of order and humanity,
*' Or you muft marry MalkjN^ the Mirj-LadyJ*
MiiMXt a corfuption of ma/imt is a low term, ftill current m
feveral couniies, and always indicative of a coarfe rulgar wench.
Steeveni*
^ Herrkhejl lockram, ^f.] Lockram wz% fome kind of cheap
linen. Greene, in his Fifi^n^ dcfcribiTi^ the drefs of a nian^ fays ;
" His rufie was of fine Ucktram, ftuched very fabe with Co-
ventry blue,"
Again, in Tke S/mifi Curate of Beaumont and Fletcher, Diejo
fays :
'* ^give per annum two hundred ellsof /etir^flt,
bat there be no ftrait dealings in their Hnncns,"
H
Again, in Glapthorne's Wit in a Coifjiablf^ 1 6 jo :
" Thou thought'^, becaufe I did wear luiram fhim,
*' 1 had no wit/' Steevens*
^ ' her reechy ^/ri,] ^^^chy is greafy, fwcaty. So^ in
HamiH : " a pair of rtHhy kifles/' Laneham, ip^aking of
'* three pretty puzeb" in a morris-dance, fays they were " as bright
as a hresft ^J ha^m^' that is, bacoii hung in the chimney : and hence
rtechft whieb in its primitive fignificauon b/m&fyt c?une to imply
* -^— fcld-ftiown flamm — ] i, e, priefts who fiUom exhibit
diemfelves to publick view. The word is nfcd in Humour mi &f
Bnatht a comedy, by John Day, 1 607 :
" O/eid-fteM metamorphoita/'
The fame adverb like^vifc occurs in the old play q{ HifrGf.ims^
'* Why is not thi^ a ft range and /e/d-ftcn thing ?'*
Sfid is often u fed by a ntien t w ri t ers for jM;m* S t e £ v e n s,
7 *_fi \u\gM /aikn:] A ftation among the rabble* So, in
^c C^mfdy of Erron:
** A 'uttigmr comment wiU he made of it." Ma to he,
A 'Vulgar ^atm^ I believe, fignifies only a common landing-
place, fuch as is diftinguifkcd by no pamculai convenience.
ST£EVINt%
CORIOLANUS.
75
Commit the war of white and damafk^ in
Their nicely-gawded cheeks/ to the wanton fpoil
Of Phoebus* burning kifles : fuch a pother.
As if that whatfoever ^od^^ who leads him.
Were (lily crept into his human powers,
Ajid gave him graceful pofture.
• Cummit tJ^ war &fijdHte mi damafi^ in
Tkeir Kkf/j'^anvdetf fh^thf] Dr, WarburtOH, for ivar, ab-
r«r^y reads — nx^arf^ M a l o k e ^
Hai ehe commentator never heard of rofes t&m^dmg widi jtltes
for ibe empire of a lady's check ? The uppojfthft of coloun, though
jsol tlie cpmmixtMre^ may be called a war- John so ir.
So, m Sbakfpcare''s Tar^uitt and Lttcrtee :
" The lilent nvar of lilies and of rofes^
** ^Trich Tarquin vicw'd in her fair facets field,"
Agaia, io The Taming ef the Shremf :
** Such ^ar of while and red," &c,
A|;ain, in Chuttcef^t Knight* sTaU, Mr- Tyrwhitt's edit, F, 1040:
•• For with the rofc colour/ri^hire hcwe/*
Again, in Bam^m* Madrigal in Fmlfe &fhii Da/hnif, by John
Wootton ; pabliflied in England* t Htlk&n^ 1 600 :
" Amidil her cheefees the rofc and lilly /r^w.*'
Afiixif in MaiEnger's Gr^af Duhof FUnnce;
*' chelillies
** C&nftndiffg twitk the r^/ti in her cheek." St ei v g ir «.
Again, in our author's FtnMi and Admii :
♦* To note the fighting cmfiiH of her hue,
" How fwhiu z^ r^/each other did dtftroy/' Maloke*
Cie^rvtland introduces; this, according to his quaint manner :
'* her checks,
•' Where rofes mH i no civil wur
" Bcuvcen her York and Lancaftcr."' FAHMim.
9 At if that m^hatjheijer gQdt'l That IS, at if thai gild mh Uadi
kimt ^iatjheLer god he be* Johnson,
So, in our author's t6xh Sonnet :
** Till whatfoever flar that guides my moving,
•* Points on ftit gradmjij with fair afpetl,**
Aga^f in Jifttmy and C If Q farm <
** — he hath fought to-day ^
•' As if a god in hate of mankind had
** Dcftroy'd in fuch a ftiapct" Maloki,
76 CORIOLANUS.
Sic. Oa the fudden^
I Waritmt him conful.
Br u. Then o*f bflScc may.
During hisr powet, go fledjy.
Sic. He cannot temperately tranfport his honours
From where he fhould begin, 4nd end ; * btt will -
Lofe thofe that he hath won.
£ru. In that there's comfort.
• Sic. Doubt not, the commoners, for whom wc
ftand.
But they, upon their ancient malice, will
Forget, with the leaft caufe, thefe his new honours ;
Which that he'll give them, make I as little quef-
tion
As he is proud to do't.*
Bru. I heard him fwear.
Were he to ftartd for conful, never would he-
Appear i'thc market-place, nor oh him pot
* From where be fionld begin, and end{\ Perhaps it fllonM br
read:
From where he Jhould heght t'an enJ. JoH KSO N,
Our author roeans^ though he has exprefled himfelf inoft lioeiiti-
oufly « he cannot carry his honours temperately from where he (hoold
begin to where hejhould end. The word tranfport includes the end*
ing as well as the beginning. He cannot begin to cany his honoon,
and conclude his journey, from the fpot where he JboM hegm, amd
•to the fpot where he fhould end. I have no doubt that the text is
right.
The reading of the old copv is fupported by a pailage in Cjm^
beline, where we find cxadlly tne fame phrafeology :
«« _-__ the gap
" That we (hall make in time, from our hence going
'* And our return, to excufe,"
where the modern* editors tt^A^^Till our return. Ma lone.
5 As he is proud to doU,"] Proud to do, is the fame as, froud 9/
doing* Johnson.
.<^/ means here, a» /i«/. Malons.
GORIOl. A N us. 71
Hie naptefs velhire ^ of humility ;
Nor, fhowing (as the manner is) his wounds
To the people, beg their ftinking breaths.
Sic. . ^Tis right.
Bru. It was his word : O, he woulc) mifs it, ra-
ther
ITian carry it, but by the fuit o* the gentry to
him.
And the defire of the nobles.
Sic. I wifli no better^
Than have him hold that purpofe, and to put it
In execution.
Bau. 'Tis moft like, he will.
Sic. It fhall be to him then, as our good wills ;
A fure deftrudtion.^
Bru. So it mull fall out
To him, or our authorities. For an end.
We muft fuggeft the people,* in what hatred
4 fie napWk tfeftkre — ] The players read— 4he Naples ^^"-^
Steevbms.
Tlic GoneAion wai made by Mr. Rowe. By naflefs Shakfpeare
BCUii ibftad-hare. So, in King Henry VL P. II. «< Gto. I tell
thee. Jack Cade the clothier means to drefs the commonwealth,
and tun it, and fet a new nap upon it. John. So he had need ;
lor 'tis thread^bare:'
Plotasch's words are, ** with a poore gowne on their baokes."
&ep.9i, n.5. Malone.
* It foall he to him then^ as our good whh ;
Aftere defhruaion.'\ This (hoaW be written w//'/, for luill is.
Tyrwhitt.
It (ball be to hirp of the fame nature as our diipo£tions towards
Idm; deadly. Malone.
• foggeft the people^ i. e« prompt^ them. So, in King
JUchardll:
•' 5«^^ hb foon-believing adverfaries.'*
The verb — to fuggeft, has, in our author, many different jQiadet
ofmeaning. Stbbvens«
7
4'
78
CORIOLANUS-
He ftill hath held them ; that, to his power>* he
would
Have made them mules, filenc'd their pleaders, and
Difpropcrty*d their freedoms : holding them.
In human adion and capacity,
Of no more foul, nor fitnefs for the world.
Than camels in their war;* who have their pro vand '
Only for bearing burdens, and fore blows
* tQ his pew^tt] !• C* as &r as his power ^ocs, to the ut-
modof iii Stiivens,
* 0/tto more /mi p n§rfiftf/sf&r ihf *tmrid^
Than camth in their war ;] In what war ? Catnds arc meie
beafU of bunhen, and are never ufed m war, — We fhould certainly
lead.
As camels in their nxmj* M* Mason.
I am far frora certain that this amendment is neceflTary. Brutu*
means to fay that Coriolanus thought the people as ufelefs expletives
in the world, as camels would be In ike war, I would read the inftead
oi their. Their ^ however, may ft and, and fignify the war under-
taken for the fake of the people* Sti EVEsfi,
Their war may certainly mean, the war* In which the Roman
people engaged with various nations; but 1 fufpea Shakfpeare
wrote — in iht war. M alone.
■J /AfiVprovand — ] So the old copy, and rightly, ihough
all the modern editors read provender. The following inftancci
may ferve to eftablifii the ancient reading. Thus, in Siowc*s
Chnmic/e, edit* i6i 5, p. 757 : ^* ^-^the prtyvaa^u was cat offi,
and every foldicr had half a crowne a weeke/* Again; ** The
horfmenne had foure ihillings the weeke loane, to nnd them and
rheir horfe, which was better than the pnyvattnf.** Again, in Sir
W'&her Rairigh's Warh, J751, VoK II, p, 129. Again, in Hiktvil
ti/i tht Prm^idmrt rf Gn^, p. 118, or Lib. 11, C vii» fc^^ i ;
" At the liege of Luxenburge, 1543, the weather was fo
coldj that the /r^j^iiJif/ wine, ordained for the army, being frozen,
was divided with liatchets," &c. Again, in Fa/^uiti Night cap^
&c, 1 623 :
** Sometimes fceks change of paflure and pr^^&ni^
•' Becaufc her commons oc at nomc fo fcant,"
The word appears to be derived from the French, pnyvtn^^
provender, Steiveks«
I
I
I
I
C O R I O L A N U S.
79
For finking under thentp
Sic. This, as you fay, fuggefted
At fomc time when his foaring infolence
Shall teach the people/ (which timelliall notwant^
If he be put upon't ; and that's as eafy,
As to fet dogs on flieepj will be his fire'
To kindle their dry ftubble; and their blaze
Shall darken him for ever,
EnUr a MelTcnger.
Bru, What's the matter?
Mbs. You are fcnt for to the CapitoL *Tis
thought.
That Marcius fhall be conful : I have k^n
The dumb men throng to fee him, and the blind
To hear him fpeak: The matrons flung their
gloves,*
' Shaii teach the pe^pU^] Thus the old copy. '* When Kts fgar-
Ifig mfoleoce (hall teach the people**' may mcarij — When be with
the infoierfCe of a proud patrician fball inflriid the people in their
duty 10 iJieirrulei^s. Mr, Theobald read^ I think without necef-
fitVi — Ihall reach the people, and his emendation was adopted bf
ilf die fubfcq uent cd i to rs , M a l o n e .
The word — uaekt thotigh left in the text* is hardly fenfe, unleft
ilineans — iitpmB tht people m fa^.^mr ofmrpurp^/es.
I drongly incline lo the emendation of Mr, Theobald.
St E EVE Ufa.
« ni>ill be his/re— ] Will be a fire IiEhtcd by himfelf. Per-
haps the author wrote — m fire* There u^ nowever* no need of
change^ Maloni.
■ 'T'^ hear him [peak : ^hc maircm fimgth^lr gio'vet^l Thewnrd*
-^?^ and their t which are wanting in ihe old copy, were properly
fypplicd hy Sir Thomas Han me r to complete the vetfe. Stci v e Nt»
M&trms jfrnng gio^^et — -
Liidies — iheir fcarfs — ] Hcrc our author has attributed fotne
L of the cijfloms of his own age to a people who were wholly unac*
Iqualnted with them- Few men of faftiion in \m time appeared at
a loiimatncnt without a lady's farour upon his arm ; a^d fomctimci
90 CORIOLANUSL
Ladies and maids their fcajrfs and handkerchiefs.
Upon him as he pa&'d : the nobles bended^
As to Jove's ftatue; and the copunona made
Afhower, and thunder, with their caps, and ih^uts :
I never faw the like.
Bru. Let's to the Capitol i
And carry with us ears and eyes for the time/
But hearts for the event.
Sic. Have with you. [Exeunt.
SCENE IL
The fame. The Capitol.
Enter two Officers ^^ to lay cujbions.
I. O^f. Come, come, theyarealmoft here: How
many (land for confulfhips ?
%. 0??. Three, they fay : but 'tis thought of
every one, Coriolanus will carry it.
I. Off. That's a brave fellow ; but he's ven-
geance proud, and loves not the common people.
when a nobleman had tilted with uncommon grace and agilit|r, fome
of the ^r fpe^ators ufed to fling afcarfox glove ** upon him as he
pafs'd." Malone.
^ ■ ■ carry ijuith us ears and eyes &c,] That is, let us oUenre
what paiTes, but keep our hearts fixed on our defign of crulhing
Coriotanos. Johnson.
4 Enter tivo officers, &c.] The old copy reads : '* Enter two
officers to lay cuihions, as it luere^ in the capitoll." Stebvbns*
This as it fwere was inferred, becaufe there being no fcenes in
the theatres in our author's time, no exhibition of the infide of the
capitol could be given. See The Account of our old theatres , Vol. L
Malonx,
In the fame place« the reader will find this ppfition controverted.
STBBVEMa*
CORIOLANUS.
It
b
3, O^r. 'Faith, there have been many great ntiea
that have flatter'd the people, who nc^er loved
thcnn; and there be many that they have loved,
they knom^ not wherefore : (o that, if they love rhey
know not why» they hate upon no better aground:
Thereforcj for Coriolanus neither to care whether
they love^ or hate him, manifefts the true knowledge
he has in their difpolicion; and, out of his noble
carelefsnefa, let*s them plainly fee*t>
I. Off, If he did not care whether he had their
love, or no, he waved' indifferently 'twixt doing
them neither good, nor harm * but he feeks their
hate with greater devodon than they can render it
him ; and leaves nothing undone, that may fully
difcover him their oppolite,^ Now, to feem to
affedt the malice and dUpIcafure of the people, is
m bad as that which he diflikes, to flatter them fo^
their love*
1* Off. He hath deferved worthily of his coun-
try; And his afcent is not by fuch eafy degrees as
thofe,^ who, having been fupple and courteous to
the people, bonnetted/ without any further deed
^ j^twn/V— ] That is, hf ^^uld havt ^wttved wdifftrntilj*
Johnson-
fr ihar oppofite*] That is, their advcrfary-. See VoL IV*
p. 9£« Q. 9, And p. til, n. 7. Malqi^e*
• m thfig^ That is, as the afccni of ihofe. Malopj e*
« — /«//// atfd cQurfesMs tg thfptQpU^ bonact£€d» Arc] Brnmsur^
Fr. is to puH off (IOC s cap. See Cotgravc,
So, jn the acajicmig ftjie, to cap a fellow, is to take off the cap
to luin. M. Maaom.
m^I:^^ \vA\ivig ktnfupph ^nd caw Ji(m$ ta the pt^pk^ hmnmei,
^iihmi aitj further dted f& have them ut i^fl into iktir fjimmnn mi
f^fri -*] I have adhered to the original copy in printiTig this vciy
obfiiyre pafTagc, bccauft: it appears to rne at Icaft as inteliigibje, as
wluii h^ been fubilitu red in m room* Mr. Rowe, lot hm^i&g^
Vol. XIL G
to heave them at all into their eftimation and report:
but he hath Co planted his honours in their eyes,
and his adionsin their hearts, that for their tongues
to be filent, and not confefs fo much, were a kind
of ingrateful injury ; to report otherwifc, were a
malicej that, giving itfelf the lie, would pluck re-
proof and rebuke from every ear that heard it.
I. Off. No more of him; he is a worthy man:
Make way, they are coming*
yf Sennei* Enter ^ with Liilors before ibem, Com ini ui
ibeCon/ul^ Menenius, Coriolanus^ many ofher
Senators^ SiciNius and Brutus, The Senators
take ibeir places ; ike Trikmes take ibeirs al/o ty
ibem/elves.
Men. Having determined of the Voices, and
To fend for Titus Lartius, it remains.
As the main point of this our after-meeting.
To gratify his noble fervice, that
Hath thus ftood for his country : Therefore, pleafe
you,
Moft reverend and grave elders, to defire
The prefent conful, and laft general
I
ieads hattft an^ ^r. ?ope« for l^a^i In a fubfc qucnt pari of the
fcntcncc, reads hcjsfvt. BcHftttudt is, 1 apprehend, 3 veib» not a
parncipie, here. They humbly took off their bonnets, withotit
any further deed whatfocver done in order tokn^^t- ibftti, thai is,
to infinuate rhemfelves into the good opinion of the people* To
hofve thcmp for to have ihemfil^tt or to wind thcmfelve$ into* — i*
ctTtaloly very hadb ; but to h^m^ themfclvc*, &c, is not mutii
kisfo* M ALONE.
I continue 10 read — hea^e, Ha^e^ in Kirtg Htnry Fill, (See
VoL XI, p» 71J n, 8») waii Irk^w^ife printed mftead oi hea^e^ in
the firft folio, though corrcded in the fecond. The phrafe i*i
queftion occurs in Hay ward : " The Scots hmvid Mf mt^ hX^x
Hope of ridory" &c. Many inflances of Shakfpcarc's attachment
li> the rerb htavt^ might i^ a^ed on thi« occauon, St£&vi7i»^
_AM
I
I
C O R I O L A N U S. 83
In dtJf #ilLAfaHd fuccefles, to report
A little of that worthy work perform 'd
By Caius Marcius Coriolanus; whom
We meet here, both ro thanV ^ind to remember
With honours like himfelf
I. Sen* Speak, good Cominius ;
Leave nothing out for length; and make us thinks
Rather our ftate*s defcdive for requital.
Than we to ft retch it out.* Matters o* the people.
We do requeft your kindcft cars ; and, after.
Your loving motion toward the common body,*
To yield what pafTes here.
Sic, We are convented
Upon a plcafing treaty ; and have hearts
Inclinable to honour and advance
The theme of our alTembly.*
U^r mf£i hire^ h&th U than^^ &c*] "Hie conflnnfticin, I fhJnk,
n^ whom to fhank^ &c, (or, for tbe purpofc of thanking whop)
we met m a0€mbkd here. M a lc n e .
* . and make m ihmk^
Raiher eur^fim/s defr^tve fir refuUaly
^hmi 'pw' ia flr^tcS if otth] I once thought the meamn^ wai,
Afid make us tinttgine that the ftare rather w^nts inclination or
ibUlty 10 requite his fervices^ than that wq arc bbmeable for ex-
Btnding mnd rxpatiatiog upon them, A more iimple e replication,
no«r«Tcrp is perhaps the true one. And make us ihmk thiit ilic
fcptiUick is rather too niggard than too liberal in rewarding his
£CTvicfS, Ma LONE.
The plain fenfc, I believe, h :■ — Rather fay that our mcani are too
dtfiedsvc i*> afford an adequate reward for his fervkes, than fuppofc
ottf vifbei to fttctch out tdofe means arc defcdive. S te evens,
* tmr lgn,*mg mftkn to^mrd the r&mmdft $&dj\] Your kind in*
cerpoilioti with the caramon people, Jon r-^oN,
* Tl^ tifimf &f <y\rf ajrm^/j.] Here i$ a f^iolt in the eacpre^non:
And h$i\ it afcfied our author's knowledge of nature, 1 fhoM
hsiTc adjud^d It to his mm fc fibers or editors; but a^ it affefts
Oirfv hh knowledge of hiltory, I fa^tpofe k to be his own. He
flMnild have fald jmr affcmbly. For till the Lex Jftmia^ (the
G 2
84 CORIOLANUS.
J? J? u. Which the nthcr
We lliall be blefs*d to do^ if he remember
A kinder value of the people, than
He hath hereto priz'd them at.
Men. That's off, that's off;
I uould you rather had been filent: Pleafeyou
To hear Cominius fpeak ?
Bru\ Moft willingly :
But yet my caution was more pertinent.
Than the rebuke you give it.
Men. He loves your people j
But tie him not to be their bedfcUow.^ —
Worthy Cominius, fpeak. — Nay, keep your place,
[CoRioLANUs rifes^ and offers ia go avuaj^
1. Sun. Sit, Coriolanus i never (bamc to hear* ^^
What you have nobly done* ^f
Cor. Your honours' pardon ^
I had rather have my wounds to heal again,
Than hear fay how I got them,
Bru, Sir, I hope.
My words dif-bcnch'd you not*
Cor. No, fir: yet oft^
author of which is fuppofed by Sieoniu^, \Ih retire Italic 7*'^1
lo have been coiucmporarj^ with Q^blus MetdJus MaccdoQicus)
the tribunes had not the pi iv Liege ot entering the fenate, but bad
feats pbced for them near the door on the ouctide of the houfe.
WakburtOii*
Though I wa« formerly of a diffetent opinion, I am now con-
vinced diat Shakfpeare, bad be been aware of ihc circumftancc
pointed out by Dr, Warburton, might have conduced ihh fcene
without violence to Roman ufage. The prcfcncc of Brutus and
Siciniui being neceflarj-, it would not have been diiHcult tt> cxhi*
bit both the outfidc and infide of the Senate^hoifc in a manner full
ficiently confonant to theatrical probability, Steeveks*
4 That'i o^t ihai^s effi\ That is, that h nothing to the purpofc.
JoHif^gif^
CORIOLANUS,
85
When blows have madeineftay, I fled from words.
You footh*d not, therefore hurt not : ^ But, your
people,
I love them as they weigh.
Men. Pray now, fit down.
Cor, I had rather have one fcratch my head i*
the fun/
When the alarum were ftruck, than idly fit
To hear my nothings monfter'd,
[Exji CORIOLANUS.
Mem. Mafters o' the people^
Your multiplying fpawn how can he flatter,'
(That's thoufand to one good one J when you now
fee.
He had rather venture all his limbs for honour.
Than one of his ears to hear it? — Proceed, Comi-
nius.
Con. I fhall lack voice ; the deeds of Coriolanus
Should not be utter'd feebly. — It is held.
That valour is the chicfeft virtue, and
Moft dignifies the haver; if it be,
The man I fpeak of cannot in the world
Be fingly counterpoised. At fix teen years.
When Tarquin made a head for Rome," he fought
* Trnfi^ih^'dnot^ fhetffsrt hurt mf ;] Yod ^tdmi flatter me, and
thtrefore ctid noi offend mc, — Murr i% coranionly ufcd by our author
iof bmrttj. Mr> Pope, not perceiving ih is, for /o&i h' d tc^ds foot ^,
which was adopted by the fuofcqucnt eJitors, Mai-one,
T* ha%'f QHf/cratth mjktad t ikf/un^^ Sec Vol, IX, p. JOOf
1 2. StI EVENS*
hpw ca» he fietut^ The rea Coning of Mcnenius is this :
flow tan he be expected it> pra^ife fiattery 10 otliers, who abhor*
it fo much J ibat he cannot hear it even when offered to himrdf ?
J0MN50N.
• When farfmft made a htad fir R^me^ When Tarquin who had
boin esipelledj wmpd a /sw^r 10 recovei Roaie. J oh k so k*
86
CORIOLANtrS.
Beyond the mark of others : our then didator.
Whom with all praife I point at, faw him %ht.
When with his Amazonian chin^ he drove
The briftied lips before him : he beftrid
An o*er-prefs'd Roman/ and i' the conful's view
Slew three oppofcrs : Tarquin's felf he met.
And ftruck him on his knee : ' in that day's feats.
When he might ad the woman in the fcene/
We learn from one of Cicero's letters, that the confular a^ ia
bis time v^sin/ofij thre^* If Coriolanus was but fixtecn when Tar-
quin eodcavoured lo recover Rome, he con jd not now. A* U- C,
165, have been miich more than twenty one years gf a^, and
Should therefore feem to be incapable of ftandiiig for the conTglftvip.
But perhaps the rule mentioned by Cicero, as fubfifting ia hi^ tkne^
was not cftablifhed at this early period of the rcpublick.
MjiLdKc
* hh AmnxmisH chin ] i* c* his thin on which there
m-a 5 n o bca rd » The ploy ers read , Jhinnt^ S t e e v e k s .
* ht\^^uA
An Q*fr^pre/i*(l Rom&n,\ Thh was an afi oi" fingular friendHiip in
our old Englifh armies ; |^8ec Yoh VI I L p, 569, n. 9^ and Vol, X,
p* 203, n* 7>] but there w no proof that any fiich pradice prevailed
among the legionary foldicrs of Rome, nor did onr antnor give
bimfelf any trouble on that fnbjed. He was led into the error by
North's tranfladon of PI u tare h^ where he found ihefc words ;
** The Roman fou Idler being ihrovvn unto the ground even hard
by htm, Martins iUaight lejhid him, and Hew the enemy,'* The
trauilation ou^ht to Javcbeen, " Martiu^ banned to hisaflillance*
3kad Jfandif/g^ Ir/hre him^ flew his aiTailant/* See the next note*
where there is a im^ilar inaccuracy. See alfo p, S5, n, 4, Maloni*
Shakfpeafe may, on this occalion, be vindicated by higher au-
thority than that of books. It It probable than any Roman foldier
was fo far di veiled of humanity as not to tjfotetl his friend who
had fallen in battle? Our author (if nnacquainted with the Grecian
Hjpera/^ijli] wa* too well read in the volume of nature to need any
apology for the introduction of the prefent incident, which muft
have neen as familiar to Roman as to Britilh war&rc. St e 1 v i ^ s.
* Andflrtick him OH his kme :] This does not mean that he gave
Tarquin a blow on the kneCt but gave bim fuch a blow as occalon*
cd him iaj&ii QH his kme ;
&d U rtam duplicaH p^fUu Turvm, Steivens,
* Whmbt might qQ thi%mmmm tht/ane^} lihu been more
1
\
CORIOLANUS.
87
He prov'd beft man i* the fields and for his meed
Was brow-bound with the oak. His pupil age
Man^enter'd thus, he waxed like a Tea ;
And, in the brunt of feventccn battles fince,*
He lurch'd all f words o* the garland.* For this
laft,
Before and in Corioli, let me fay,
I cannot fpeak him home : He (topp'd the fliers ;
And, by his rare example^ made the coward
Turn terror into fport; as waves before
A vcflel under fail^ fo men obeyed.
sJmn once tneniioneiJ, that the parts of women were, in Shak-
fpGai«% time, reprc feinted by the moft fmooth-&ccd young men to
m found amoBg the players, Stbevens,
Here is ^ great aTacbronifm. There were no theatres at Rome
for the exhibition of plays for above two hundred and fifty ycari
after the death of Conolanust M a L o K e.
* ^W, Mr /J&r ^r^j^r/^ feventccn iu//^i^j5rff>] The numbery?w/r*
Uem, for which there is no authority, was fuggclled to Shakfpcare
by North's tranilation of Plutarch : "Now Martius followed
lai^ cull o me, Ihowed many woundcs and cutts upon his bodic^
which he had received in /e%^fHfffnf yeeret fcrvicc at the warrea,
and in many fundry baicclls/* So a!fo the original Greek ; but it
if undoubtedly erroneous ; for from Coriolanus's firft campaign to
lis de3^» was ouly a period oftfight years, Milonb,
** Ht I^nk'd uii fwerdi *' tht gariand-^ ^n Jonfon has the iamc
CEptefljon in The SiU^tt W^man : *' — you have lurch'd your friend*
^fih' hfiUr half of the g&rimd^*' SxEEVfiNS.
To tntxh if properly to pttrhm ; hence Shakfpeare ofcs it in the
fei^fe of to dep^rve, So* in Chfifi'$ T^&rs ever Jtrttfaiem, by Tho*
Naihe, I ^94 : " I fee others of them fliaring halfc with the bawdes,
fhcir bofteffet, and laughing at the punics they had lur^htd,**
1 fafpett, however^ I have not rightly traced the origin of thit
pliGtfe. To imttk in Shakfpeare 's time fignificd to win a maiden
fa at c»rds» Sec* See FlorioV Italian Di^^ 15 98 : " Gi^cc marz&*
A miden fei, or /m-^b^ at any gantc/' Sec alfo Cole's Latin
I^fL 1679 : ** A lurch. Duplex palmar fmalis n^idoria,*'
" To lurch all f words of the garland/' therefore, was, to gaia
fftiin all other warrior* the w^reaih of victory, with cafc# iind ia-
.^onteCUble fuperic^rity t M a l g n £ «
C4
Sff C O R I O L A N U S.
And fell below his flem : ^ his fword (death's ftamp)
Where it did mark, it took ; from face to foot
He was a (hing of blood, whofe every motion
Was tim'd with dying cries : • alone. he enter'd
f ■ as waves hf/ore
A 'vejfel under fail 9 Jo men oheyd.
And fell behyw his ftcm :] [Firft folio — weeds*] The editor
of the fecond folio, for iveedt lubftitated nvaves, and this capii-
cious alteration has been adopted in all the fubieqneot editions.
In the fame pac;e of that copy, which has been the fource {£ at.
lead one half of the corruptions that have been introduced in cor
author's works, we find defafny for defiinj^ fir Coriolinns, fer
•* ^/, Coriolanus," trim d \qx tim dy ^xA painting {ox panting : but
luckUv none of the latter fophiflications have found admiffion into
any of the modem editions, except Mr. Rowe's. Rnfies fallinefae-'
low a veflel paffing over them is an ima^e as expreffive of the
prowefs of CorioUnus as well can be conceived.
A kindred image is found in Troilsu and Crejftda :
" there the ftrawy Greeks, ripe for his edge,
*' Fall down before him, like the mower's fwaSi."
Malonb.
Waves, the reading of the fecond folio, I regard as no trivial
c^ idencc in favour of the copy from which it was printed^ Weeds ^
inftead oi falling beltyw a veflel under fail, cling faft about ^tfiem
of it. The juilice of my remark every failor or waterman will
confirm.
£ut were not this the truth, by conflid with a mean adverikryp
valour would be depreciated. The fubmerfion of tjoeeds refemblet
a Frenchman's triumph over a foup aux herhes \ but to rife above
the threatening billow, or force a way through the watry bntwark^
is a conquell worthy of a (hip, and fumilhes a comparifon faitahfe '
to the exploits of Coriolanus. Thus, in Trtilvs and Creffida :
•« The ftrong-ribb'd bark through liquid mountains cats,
** Bounding between the two moift elements,
" Like Perfeus' horfe.'*
If Shakfpcarc orij^inaliy wrote tveeds^ on finding fuch an image*
leis appolite and dignified than that oi'*wa^rs, he might have In^
troduced the correction which Mr. Malone has excluded from hti
text.
The/^«r is that end of the (hip which leads. From fiem toftewu
is an expreffion ufcd by Dr)'den in his tranflation of Virgil:
•* Orontes* bark ■
** From/rw to/<^r« by waves was overborne.'' Stbbtivi..
• — hisf'word &c.] Old copy—
CORIOLANUS.
»9
The mortal gate* o' the city, which he painted
With (hunlefs deftiny ; * aidlefs came off.
And with a fudden re-cnforccmcnt ftruck
Coriolij like a planet : * Now all's his :
When by and by the din of war 'gan pierce
Hk ready fenfe ; then ftraight his doubled fpirh
Re-quickcn'd what in flcfli was fatigate.
And to the battle came he; where he did
Rim reeking o*er the lives of men, as if
*Twerea perpetual fpoil : and, till we caird
Both field and city ours, he never flood
To eafc his breaft with panting.
Men, Worthy man !
1, Sen. He cannot but with meafure fit the ho^
nours^
iVhtrt it did markf it tmk fi-^mfac^ ta fi^r*
Me luat & thiwg &f tlmd^ ^mh^Je t^ety mmim
H^m tim*d niith djirt^ critu
Thk patrage ihouM be pointed thos :
His fword (aeath's ft amp)
Where it did mark, it took ; from face to foot
He was a ihing of blood, &Cp Tyrwhitt.
1 btv'c followed the pynduation recommended. Sti £Vi m.
T tvery motim
Wmi iim'd'wtth djia^ cricu^ The cries of the Jlauglicer'd regu-
larly followed bi& morion, as mufick and a dancer accompany each
other. Johnson.
V n^ mortal gafe ] The gate that was made the fcene of
^^ iFifh Jhmtkjt deftiny ;] The fccond folio reads, whether by
accident or choice :
With Ihunlefs difamyu
Bffamtt is an old French word fignifying infamy. Tyrwhitt.
It occurs often in John Bale's Engi^ Votmriti^ '5P* Steeviwi*
* — ^Jhmk
CeriJi^ iiki a planet:] So, in Trmm ^f AthmM :
*• Be as a fdaueiarj plague, when Jove
" Will o er fome hi>h-vic'd city hang his polfon
** In the fiik air**' Stieveks.
* Ui canmi hut *wiih mi^/HrcJii tbs hamHrs — J That isj ao honoui
$o CORlOLANUS.
Which we dcvifc him.
Com. Our fpoils he kicked at i
And look'd upon things precious, as they wei:e
The common muck o' the world : he covets Ids
Than mifery itfelf would give ; * rewards
His deeds with doing them ; and is content
To fpend the time, to end it.*
Men. He's right noble $
Let him be call'd fon
t. Sen. Call for Coriolanus.^
Off. He doth appear,
Rc'^nter Coriolanus.
Men. The fenate, Coriolanus, are well pleas'd
To matke thee conTuL
Cor. I do owe them ftill
My life, and fervices.
will be too great for him; he will (how a mind equal to any cl»*
vatioiu Johnson*
^ 7£mp mifery it/eifivouUgive;] Mifiry fet avarice; becaole a
•f^fignifies an avaricioiis* WAaavaTON.
* and is content
To fpeni the timt^ to end it, '\ I know not whether my concdc
will be approved, but I cannot forbear to think that our author
wiots thus :
— — — he renjoards
His deeds 'with doing them, and it contnti
To /fend his time, to (jpend it.
To do great ads, for the lake of dobg them ; to fpend his life,
for the fake of fpending it. Joh nson.
I think the words a£R>rd this meaning, without any alteration.
Malonb.
4 Call for Coriolanns.] I have fupplied the prepofition-— /^» to
complete the meafure. Stsevbns,
Mti
C O R I O L A N US.
It then remains.
9*
I
I
I
I
That you do fpcak to the people.
Co ft. I do bcfccth you.
Let me o*er4eap that cuftom ; for I cannot
Put on the gown, ftand naked, and entreat them.
For my wounds' fake, to give their fufFrage : pieafc
you.
That I may pafs this doing.
Sic* Sir, the people
Muft have their voices; neither will they bate
One jot of ceremony^
AficA\ Put them not to*t: —
Pray you, go fit you to the cuftom ; and
Take to you, as your predeceffbrs have.
Your honour with your tbrm,**
^ it fhfte r^mams^
That y^if d^/pmk H the p^&ph,^ Co rig Ian us wa* banilhcd U. C.
2^1* But till the time of Manilas Torqtiaius, U. C, 395, the fenatc
diofe hth the coiifuls : And ihen the people, afljiled by the fcditioui
temper of the tribunes, got the choice of one. But if Shakfpeare
nsakcs Rome a democracy^ which at this rime was a perfeil arillo*
cnicy; he £iets the balance even in his Tim&rt, and turns Atlicns,
wbicb was a pcrfed democracy, into an ariftocracy. But it would
be ufijuft to attribute this end rely to his ignorance ; it fomcttmei
pfiDceeded fjrom the too powerful blaze of his imagination, which,
wficEL once lighted upj made all acquired knowlc3a;e fade and dif-
api^car before it. For fometimes again we find hioi, when occa-
fion fcrvea, not only writing up 10 the truth of hiftory, but iitting
Ilia DJE-ndnienls to the niceil manners of hi^ peculiar fubje^, as well
to the %*f/> of his characters, or the Jii.9afej of nature in gencraL
Wahburtqw.
Tlic inaccuracy is to be attributed, not to our author, but to
Plntarch, who cxpref&ly fays^ in his lil^ of Coriobnus, that ** it
w» the cullooie of Rome ^t that time, that fuch as dyd fue for ^^y
efllec, ihould for ccrten dayes before be in the market-place, unlj
with a poorgowne on their backes, and without any coate under-
neath» to praye the p€9pie ta remrmher them, ai tht dnj of tle^iim*'*
Nonh*$ tranOation^ p. 244. Malone.
Tettir hcmmr ri^iih your/^n*, J I beltcvc we fhould read *' Your
honoyj with iht fonn,"-— That i»^ the yfual form. M. MASofr.
92 C O R I O L A N U S.
Cor. It h a part
That I (hall blufh in ading^ and might well .
Be taken from the people.
Br u. Mark you that ?
Cor. To brag unto them, — Thus I did, and
thus ; —
Show them the unaking fears which I (hould hide.
As if I had received them for the hire
Of their breath only : —
Men. Do not (land upon*t. —
We recommend to you, tribunes of the people.
Our purpofe to them ; ' — and to our noble conful
Wifti we all joy and honour.
Sen. To Coriolanus come all joy and honour!
[Flourijb. Then Exeunt Senators.'
Bru. You fee how he intends to ufe the people.
Sic. May they perceive 's intent ! He will re-
quire them.
As if he did contemn what he requeftcd
Should be in them to give.
Bru. Come, we'll inform them
Your iorm, may mean the form which caflom prefcribes/sjMKw
Stbevbmu
' We recommend io you^ tribunes of the feopie^
Our purpofe to them ;] We entreat you, tribanes of the peoi^e,
to recommend and enforce to the plebeians, what we propofe to
them for their approbation ; namely the appointment of Coriolanus
to the confullhip. M a l o n £ •
This pafTage is rendered almoft unintelligible by the falfe punc-
tuation. It (hould evidently be pointed thus, and then the fenfe
<will be clear : —
We recommend to you ^ tribunes of the people , ' ^
Our purpofe ;•— /« them, and to our noble conful,
Wijh rwe all joy and honour ^
To them, means to the people, whom Menenius artfully joint to
the conful, in the good wiihes of the fenate. M. Mason*
CORIOLANUS.
93
Of our proceedings here: on the market-place^
I know^ they do attend ub. [Exeunt:
SCENE III.
Itbefame. The Forum.
Enter feveral Citizens.
X. Cir. Once/ if he do require our voices, we
ought not to deny him.
2. Ci<r. We may, fir, if we will-
3. Cvr. We have power in ourfelves to do it, but
it is a power that we have no power to do : ^ for if
he fliow us his wounds, and tell us his deeds, we
are to put our tongues into thofe wounds, and fpeak
* Once^ OttCi here means the fame as when we fay, once for «/A
WAKBUaTON.
This ufe of the word once is found in The Sufpofes by Gaf-
^gne:
** Once, twenty-four ducattes he coft me." Farmsk.
Again, in The Comedy of Errors :
«• Once this, your long experience of her wiidom •"
Stibvens*
I doubt whether once here fignifies once for all, I believe, it
ineans, '< if he do but fo much as require our voices;" as in the'
following palTage in Holinfhed's Chronicle : ** — they left many of
their iervants and men of. war behind them, and fome of them
would not 0«r^ (lay for their dandards." Malonb.
« IVe have power in ourfel'ves to do it, but it is a potuer that nsf€
^mve mo power to do ;] Power firft fignifies natural power or force^
and then moral power or right. Davies has ufed the fame word
frith great variety of meaning :
U/e all thj powers that hea^venly power to prai/e.
That gave thee power to do.. J o h N so if •
94
CORIOLANUS.
for them j fa, if he tell us his noble deeds, we muft
alfo tell him our noble acceptance of them. In-
gratitude is monftrous : and for the multitude to
be ingratefulj were to make a monfter of the mul-
titude; of the which, we being members, (hould
bring ourfeives to be monftrous members.
I. C/T, And to make us no better thought of, a
little help will ferve t for once, when we flood up
about the corn,* he himfelf ftuck not to call ua —
the many-headed multitude.*
3* CiT. We have been called fo of many; not
that our heads are fome brown, fome black, fome
auburn/ fome bald, but that our wits are fodiverfly
colour'd : and truly I think, if all our wits were to
iifue out of one fkuU,* they wotild fly calf, weft.
* fcr once, when tntfio^ a^ akimt ihe cam^^ ["Old cop)r-^
once 'u/f JI&Qd Ht\ That b, as fo^iff m tver we ftood up* Thii
word is dill uftd in nearly the fame fenfe, in familiar or rather
Tulgar language, Aich as Shakfp<:are wjjlied to alLoi to the Roman
popuLice. " Once the will of the monarch h the only kw^ the
conftitutioTi h deftro)'ed/' Mr Rowc and all the fubfeqacnt
editors read — ^for once, ^l>fs we flood up, &c, MalonEp
As no decifive e^^idencc is brought to prove that the adverb smce
has at any time i\gni(}cd—as/aQft as f^^cr, I have not reje^ed the word
introduced by Mr, Rowe, which, in my jadgemcm, is nece{&fy
10 the fpeakcr*s meaning* Stseveks,
* - ■ many -headed mnltitudt^ ] Hanmer reads, fnany*htaded
monfter, but without neceflity. To be many-headtd includes mm--
firmi/ftffu Jo i^ N BO If ,
* fime auburn,] Tlie folio reads, fome Mram. I fhoalj
nnwillingly fuppofc this to be the true reatling j but we have already
bea rd of Cm ft and M ram-co 1 ou red beard s» Steevens*
The emen.^atbn was made in the fourth folio. Maloni.
J t/al/ 6tir fwffj fwfrf t9 ifftte ami &f &ne fif$U , &Cp] Meaning.
ihongh our having but one inteiefl w;is moft apparent, yet our
wiflies and projetb would be infinitely difcortkni, Warbuhtoii,
To fuppofe all their wits to iffuc from one fcnll, and that their
common eon fen i and agreement to go all one w:iy, (Iiould eod in
CORIOLANUS.
9S
north* fouth ; and their confent of one direft way*
ihould be ac once to all the points o* the com*
pafs.
2* dr. Think you fo ? Which way^ doyou judgCj
my wit would fly ?
3. Cir. Nay^ your wit will not fo foon out at
mother man*s will, 'tis ftrongly wcdg'd up in a
Mack-head : but if it were at liberty, 'twould, furc*
fauthward,
2, CiT, Why that way ?
3. Cit, Tolofeitfelf ina fogi where being three
parts melted away with rotten dews, the fourth
wcMlU return for confcience fake, to help to get
thee a wife,
2* Cir* You are never without your tricks: —
You may, you may.^
3. CiT, Are you all refalved to give your voices?
But that's no matter^ the greater part carries it* I
fay, if he mould inctine to the people, there was
never a worthier man*
Enter Coriolanus and MENENitrs,
Here he comes, and in the gown of humility ; mark
his behaviour. We are not to ft ay all together,
their flying tD every point of the compafs, 12 a juft defcription of
tht viiltty and inconfiftency of the opinioDS, wimcs, and afllons of
the mulntudc- M. Mason*
* mJ their cofifcnt #/" ont SrrH ^aj — ] Sec VoL VII,
p. 40 J, 11. J ; and VoK IX. p, jo6, m 5, Steevekb.
X Tm mmj^ jm fft^P*] T\ih coUoqitial phrafe^ which fecm^to
fgoify — Tm mdj Jh^eri ymirftlf^ m ym phaje^ at my /jr/fwr^#^-4iM
occurred already in Trai/ztt etiii Creffiih :
** HtL By criy troth, fwcct lord, thou hall a fine forehc*d*
*' Fm* Ay\ yQU may, ym may,'* Stsivem,
7
C O R I O L A N U §;
but to come by him where he (lands, by ones, by
twos, and by threes. He's to make his requefts b
particulars ; %v here in every one of us has a fingl
honour, in giving him our own voices with our own
tongues : therefore follow me, and 1*11 dircd you
how you fliall go by him.
All* Content, content. [Exeunt.
Mem. O fir, you are not right; have you not
known
The worthieft men have done't ?
Cor. What muft I fay ?^i
I pray, fir* — Plague upon't! I cannot bring
My tongue to fuch a pace: Look^ fir; my
wounds ; —
1 got them in my country's fervicc, when
Some certain of your brethren roar'd, and ran
From the noifeof our own drums.
AIen. O me, the gods t
You muft not fpeak of that; you muft defire them
To think upon you.
CoK. Think upon me ? Hang 'cm I
I would they would forget me, like thfc virtues
Which our divines lofe by them/'
Men, You'll mar all %
ril leave you : Prayyou* fpeak to them, Iprayyou^
In wholefome manner,^ [ExiU
* t mtlfif tht^ ^w&uid fbrget wr. Me the nfirittet
IVhicb mr divmft h/e hj tkem.^ u c, I wifll they would forget
aac ai they do thofc virtuous precepts, which th*!_ divines preacll
yp to them, and lofe by them, at it were, by their tieglcOTig the
prance. Theobald.
t In wholefome manner.} So, in Hamlei t *' If it (hall plea^
you to pmke m^ a <whU/&mi an fwer. ** S t i e v ■ » t«
y
I
■
I
CO KIO L A N U SI 97
£nter two Citizens.
Cor. Bid them wafti their face^.
And keep their teeth clean. — So, here comes a
brace.
You know the caufe, fir, of my (landing here.
1. Cir. We do, fir ; tell us what hath brought
you to't.
Cor. Mine own defert.
2. CiT. Your own defcft ?
Cor. Ay, not
Mine own defire.*
I. dr. How ! not your own defire ?
Cor. No, fir :
Twas never my defire yet, to trouble
The poor with begging.
I. Cir. You mufl: think, if we give you any
thinjg.
We hope to gain by you.
Cor. Well then, I pray, your price o* the con-
fulftiip?
• not
Mate ^nwt ilffirf,] The old copy — ^»f mine own defire. !£ ^ut
be the tne reading, it moft fignify, as in the North— oi/r/i&Mr/.
Stbevens.
Bmi is only the reading of the firfl folio : Not is the true reading.
JllTSON.
The anfwer of the citizen fully fupports the corredion, which
Iras made by the editor of the third folio. But and no/ are often
coofbonded in diefc plays. See VoL VI. p. 37, n, 7. and Vol.
VIII. p. C79, n. 6.
In a paMge in Lovers Lnhour*s Lofl^ VoL V, p, 276, n. 7, from
the relndance which I always feel to depart from the original copy>
I bxve fufiered not to remain, and have endeavoured to explain the
words as they ftand ; but I am now convinced that I ought to have
printed —
•• By cwth, (he is hui corporal ; there you lie." Malokb,
Vol. Xlt H
98 CORIOLANUS.
1. Cir. The price is, fir,' to a(k it kindly.
Cor. Kindly!
Sir, I pray, let me ha*t : I have wounds to £how
you.
Which (hall be yours in private. — Your good voice,
fir;
What fay you ?
2. Cir. You ftiall have it, worthy fir.
Cor. a match, fir : —
There is in all two worthy voices begg'd : —
I have your alms ; adieu.
1. Cir. But this is fomething odd.'
2. Cir. An 'twere to give again, — But 'tis no
matter. [^Exeunt two Citizens.
Enter two other Citizens.
Cor. Pray you now> if it may Hand with the tunc
of your voices, that I may be conful, I have here
the cuftomary gown.
I. Cir. You have defervcd nobly of your coun-
try, and you have not deferved nobly.
Cor. Your enigma?
I. Cir. You have beenafcourgeto her enemies,
you have been a rod to her friends j you have not,
indeed, loved the common people.
Cor. You fiiould account me the more virtuous,
that I have not been common in my love. I will,
' The price is, fir, &c.] The word— ^r, has been fupplied by one
of the modern editors to complete the verfe. Steevens.
* But this is fomething odd.^ As this hemidich is too bulky to join
with its prcdeceiTor, we may fuppoie our author to have written
only —
^bis is fomething odd ;
and that the compofitor's eye had caught— i?///, from the foccoed^
ingUne. Stbsvens.
CORIOLANUS.
99
fir, flatter my fworn brother the people, to earn a
dearer eftinnation of them; 'tis a condition they
account gentle : and lince the wifdom of their
choice is rather to have my hat than my heart, I
will pradife the infinuating nod, and be off to
them mofi: counterfcitly ; that is, lir, I will coun-
terfeit the bewitchment of fomc popular man, and
give it bountifully to the defircrs. Therefore, be-
leech you, I may be confuL
2* Cir* We hope to find you our friend j and
therefore give you our voices heartily.
I, Cir. You have received many wounds for
your country.
Cor. 1 will notfcal your knowledge^ with fliow-
ing them, I will make much of your voices^ and
fo trouble you no further.
Both Cir* The gods give you joy, fir, heartily !
I Exeunt*
Cor* Moft fweet voices! —
Better it is to die, better to ftarve.
Than crave the hire * which firfl: we do deferve.
Why in this woolvilhgown^ lliould 1 ftand here.
9 i fwtii KGt fcal ymr ino^^iUJgi? — ] I will not ftrenglhen or
comploit your knowledge- The ftal U that which gives atithcnticiiy
f O ji writing. J OH K so k,
* thw hire — ] The old copy has higher^ and ihia Is one of
tbe many proofs thni feveral parts of the original folic* ctihion of
ibefe plays were dictated by one and written down by another,
* Ma LONE.
^ thk imoi^'ifi gown — ] Signilics this raugh Bhfuu gown.
|uHNSON%
The firft folio reads — fh's *wolv(^ tongue. Goiuh is the reading
of the feeond folio, and, I bdicve, the true one.
Let OS try, houxvcr, to extraft fomc meaning from ihe word ex*
lubiicd in the elder copy.
The white robe worn by a candidate wai made, I think, of white
lamb-fkins, 1 low comes it then to be called avsohtj/j^ unhh in^
afluiion to the fable of the it-a^ in firnfs ihthmgf Perhaps the
II 2
lOO CORIOLANUS.
To beg of Hob and Dick, that do appear.
Their ncedlefs vouches ? ^ Cuftom calls me to't t"--
poet meant only. Why do I fiandwih a ton^e deceitfml at that of tie
njoolfy and feem to flatter tbofe nuhom I *would nvijb to treat nviti mj
ufual ferocity f We might perhaps more diftindly read :
ii— — 'With this woolvifh tongue,
unlefs timgue be ufed for tone or accent. Tongue might, indeed, be
only a typographical miflake, and the word defiened be toge^
which is ufed in Othello, Yet, it is as probable, if Shakfpcare
originally wrote — toge^ that he afterwards exchanged it fbr-^/0«Mr,
a word more intelligible to his audience. Our author, howeTcr*
does not appear to nave known what the toga hirfuta was, becaufe
he has juft oefore called it the napUfs gown of hsmility.
Since the foregoing note was written, I met with the fbUowiog
paflagc in ** A Mer^e Jcft of a Man called HoivleglaSf^ bl. 1. no
date. Htrwleglas hired himfelf to a taylor, who <* cafte onto him
a hufhande roans gown, and bad him take a 'wolfe^ and make it opw
— Then cut Ho^leglas the hulbandmans gowne and made thereof
a ijooulfe with the head and fcete, &c. Then fayd the maifter,
I ment that you (hould have made up the ruflet gown, for « huf-
bandman's gowne is here called a nmlfe" By a tjjolvifi gowrt,
therefore, Shakfpeare might have meant Corioiauus to compare the
dre/s of a Roman candidate to the coarfe frock of a ploughman^ who ex-
pofed himfelf to folicit the votes of his fellow rudicks. Stebveni*
Mr. Steevens has in his note on this paflage cited the romance
of Honvieglas to ihow that a hufbandman's gown was called a tvoifi
but quaere if it be called fo in this countr}' ? it mud be remembeied
that Ho^vleglas is literally tranflated from the French where the word
•' loup" certainly occurs, but I believe it has not the fame fignifi-
cation in that language. The French copy alfo may be fyeraify
rendered from the German. Douce.
Mr. Steevens, however, is clearly right, in fnppofing the allo-
fion to be to the •* wolf in (beep's clothing ;*' not indeed that
Coriolanus means to call himfelf a wolf; but merely to fay, *' Wfajr
ihould I (land here playing the hypocrite, and fimulating the hu-
mility which is not m my nature r" Ritson.
fFhy in this woolvifli gown Jbould I ftandhere^ I fuppofe the
meaning is. Why Ihonld I (land in this gown of humility, which
is little expreflive of my feelings towards the people ; as far fiDm
being an emblem of my real character, as the fhcep's cloathing on
a wolf is expreflive of his difpoiition. I believe ^woohijb yf2:& ufed
by our author for &lfe or deceitful, and that the phrrdTe was fog-
gefted to him, as Mr. Steevens feems to think, by the common ex«
prcflion, — ** a wolf in (hcep's cloathing." Mr. Mafon {wy%^ iltaX
C O R I O L A N US..
lOI
What cuftom wills, in all things fhould f^fe'do*t^
The dufl: on antique time would lie unfwcpt/"
And mountainous error be too highly heap'd /
I
k
I ludicrous Idea, atid ought to be treated as fuch/* 'f^
due aEtention to many of the ingcnioub commcnmtor't
cJin the prefent ediuon, and thjerefore I am furche will
panjbn me when 1 obfervc that fpeculative criticifm on thefe plays
HfUl evei be liable to error, uulcfs we add to it an intimate ac*
quununcc with the language and writings of the predccctTors and
conieiiiporaria of Shakfpearc^ If Mr, Mafon had read the follow-
ing line in Churchyard's k^end of Cardinal Wolfe Vj Mirrsr for
Magt/hauj^ i^S}* inilead oi confidedng this as a ludicrous iiuer-
pteiadon, he would prol>ably have admitted it to be a nacural and
j«ft explication of ihc epither lieforc us : ^
•* O fye on iMoI^ff, that march in mafimg eUihfi"
The nvGoht/M f gown or] t&^^ h a gown of humility, in whicb
CoriobntJB thinks !ie fhall appear iti ma/ju^nn/tr ; not in his rieal
and natural tharaOrr,
Wmt-uijif cannot mean raugh^ htrfitti^ as Dr> Johnfon interprets
it, becaufe the gown Coriolanus won: has already been defcribed
The oU copy has tettpit ; which was a very natural error for the
CDRtpoiitor at che prefs to fall into, who almoll always fubflituica
a familiar Knglifh word for one derived from fhe Latm, which
bt doci not undcritand. The very fame mlftakc has happened in
Qtheikt where we find *' /afl^^vi/ con fills,'' for /<?/^j/ confuls, — The
panicte iis ihows that Hngne cannot be right* The editor of the
fecond foHo folved the difficulty as ufuaT^ by fubftituting^e'ty^,
wttbotit any regard to the word in the original copy, Maloni.
4 7^ if eg &f H$h and Dkk^ th&t du apptar^
Their midi^fi ^umcbfs /J Why Hand I here, — ^to beg of Hob and
Dick, *tid fuch others as make th^ir appeamnce here, their unnc-
%Lt^My 't^kts ? JoHNSONi
By Grange inattention our poet Has here given the names (as in
many other places he has attributed the culloms) of England, to
aneicnt Rome, It appeara from-MinShcu's Dictionarv, 1617,
in V* QutNTAiNE, that thefe were fomc of the moll common
namc^ among ihc people in Shakfpcarc's time, " A Qui ntainb
Off Q^nNTELLE, a game in requeft at marriages, where J ac and
Tom, 0k ^ Httif^ and Will, Rrive for the gay garland/* Malok e.
Again, in an old equivocal Englifh prophecy ;
*' The country gnuS, Hab^ Dkk, and' Hick,
_ '* With ftavW;md clouted llioon^' ^c. Stiiviii s,
H3
ro2 /.to RIOLANUS.
• • •••
For t;rjJtfl*to over-peer. — Rather than fool it fo.
Let fhc^'high office and the honour go
'lo-pne that would do thus. — I am half through;
.-.The' one part fufFer*d, the other will I do.
Enter three other Citizens.
Here come more voices, —
Your voices : for your voices I have fought;
Watch'd for your voices ; for your voices, bear
Of wounds two dozen odd ; battles thrice fix *
I have feen, and heard of; for your voices, have
Done many things, fome lefs, fome more : your
voices :
Indeed, I would be conful.
1 . Cir. He has done nobly, and cannot go with-
out any honeft man's voice.
2. Cir. Therefore let him be conful : The gods
give him joy, and make him good friend to the
people !
All. Amen, amen.
God fave thee, noble conful ! [Exeunt Citizens,
Cor. Worthy voices !
Re-^nter Menenius, with Brutus, and Sicinius«
Men. You have flood your limitation ; and the
tribunes
Endue you with the people's voice : Remains,
That, in the official marks invefted, you
Anon do meet the fenate.
5 .^-"^hattlts thrice fix &c.] Coriolanus fcems nov, ineanieftt
to petition for the conlulatc : perhaps we may better read :
— battles thrice fix
Vwe feen, and^ou have heard of; for your voices
DoQC many things, &c. Farmer.
C O R I O L A N U S. 103
Cor. is this done?
Sic. The cuftom of requeft you have difcharg'd :
The people do admit you ; and are fummon'd
To meet anon, upon your approbation.
Cor. Where ? at the fenate-houfe ?
Stc. There, Coriolanus.
Cor. May I then* change thefe garments ?
Sic. You may, fir.
Cor. That rU ftraight do ; and, knowing my-
felf again,
Repair to the fenate-houfe-
Men. ril keep you company.— Will you along?
Bru. We ftay here for the people.
Sic. Fare you well.
[Exeunt Coriol. and Menen.
He has it now ; and by his looks, methinks,
'Tis warm at his heart.
Bru. With a proud heart he wore
His humble weeds : Will you difmifs the people?
Re-enter Citizens.
Sic. How now, my mailers ? have you chofc this
man?
1 . Cir. He has our voices, fir.
Bru^ We pray the gods, he may deferve your
loves.
2. Ci7. Amen, fir: To my poor unworthy no-
tice.
He mock'd us, when he begg'd our voices.
3. Cir. Certainly,
* Maj /then ^r.] Th^n^ which is wanting in the old copy,
vas fupplied, for the fake of metre, by Sir T. Hanmcr. Stbe v e ns,
H4
I04 CORIOLANU&
He flouted us down-right.
1. Cir. Noj 'tis his kind of fpecch^ he did not
mock us.
2. Cir. Not one amongft us, fave yourfelf, but
fays.
He us'd us fcornfully : he (hould have (how'd us
His marks of merit, wounds received for his coun«
try.
Sic. Why, fo he did, I am fure.
Cir. No I no man faw 'cm.
[Several fpealu
3. Cir. He faid, he had wounds, which he could
fhow in private ;
And with his hat, thus waving it in fcorn,
/ would be confuly fays he : aged cujlotn^
But by your voices^ will not Jo permit me ;
Tour voices therefore : When we granted that.
Here was, — I /hank you for your voices, — thank you^—^
Tourmojl fweet voices : — now you have left your voices,
I have no further with you : — Was not this mockery ?
Sic. Why, either, were you ignorant to fee't ? '
* ■ n aged a/fiom,] This was a ftrange inattention. The
Romans at this time had but lately changed the regal for the
eonfular government : for Coriolanus was banifhed the eighteenth
year after the expulfion of the kings. Ware urton.
Perhaps our author meant by aged cufiom, that Coriolanus (hould
fay, thecuilom which requires the confulto be of a certain f referred
age, will not permit that I fliould be eledcd, onlefs by the voice
of the people that rule fhould be broken through. This would
meet with the objection made in p. 85, n. 8 ; but I doubt much
whether Shakfpeare knew the precife eonfular age even in Tully'f
time, and therefore think it more probable that the words aged
cufiom were ufed by our author in their ordinary fenie, however
inconfiilent with the recent eflabliOiment of eonfular government
at Rome. Plutarch had led him into an error concerning this aged
cuftom. Seep. 91, n. 5. Ma lone.
' hnorant to fee* t?"] Were you ignorant to fee it, is, did you
want knowledge to diicern it ? Joh n so n.
CORIOLANUS.
105
I
I
Or, feeing it^ of fuch childifti fricndlinefs
To yield your voices ?
Bru. Could you not have told him.
As you were IcflbnM, — When he had no power^
But was a petty fervaiit to the flate,
He was your enemy 5 ever fpakeagainft
Your liberties, and the charters that you hear
I* the body of the weal : and now, arriving
A place of potency/ and fway o'the flate^
If he fhould ftill malignantly remain
Faft foe to the plcbeii> your voices might
Be curfcs to yourfclves ? You Ihould have faid.
That, as his worthy deeds did claim no lefs
Than what he flood for; fo his gracious nature
Would think upon you^ for your voices, and
Tranflatc his malice towards you into love.
Standing your friendly lord.
Sic* Thus to have faid.
As you were fore-ad v is 'd, had touch 'd his fpirit.
And try'd his inclination; from him plucked
Either his gracious promife, which you mighty
As caufe had caird you up, have held him tO|
Or elfe it would have galTd his furly nature.
Which cafily endures not article
Tying him to aught; fo, putting him to rage.
You lliould have ta'en the advantage of his choler.
And pafs*d him uneledled-
Brv. Did you perceive.
He did folic it you in free contempt,*
- Grrfviftg
A piaif of pQt^itfj^ Thus the old copy, and rightly* So, 111
the third part of Kirrg Henry FL Aft V* fc, iit ;
-ihofd powers that the queen
•* Hath rds*d ia Gallia, have arri^'d oxr c^Jf/^ Steeveks.
V ff^ou/4^ ikifii ttpmjm — ] Would retain a grateful remembrance
afyoiij &c. Ma LONE.
* frt€ c&numpr^] Tliat k^ with ccMitempt open and unre*
Amaed. JoHKso>r»
1
io6 C O R I O L A N U S.
When he did need your loves ; and do you think,
That his contempt fhall not be bruiiing to you.
When he hath power to crufh? Why, had your
bodies
No heart among you ? Or had you tongues, to cry
Againft the redlorfliip of judgement ?
Sjc. Have you.
Ere now, deny'd the alker ? and, now again.
On him,* that did not a(k, but mock, beftow
Your fu'd-for tongues ? '
3.Cir. He's not confirmed, we may deny him yet,
2. Cir. And will deny him:
I'll have five hundred voices of that found.
I. Cir. I twice five hundred, and theii: friends to
piece 'em.
Bru. Get you hence inftantly; arid tell thofc
friends, —
They have chofe a conful, that will from them take
Their liberties ; make them of no more voice
Than dogs, that arc as often beat for barking.
As therefore kept to do fo.
Sic. Let them afiemble;
And, on a fafer judgement, all revoke
Your ignorant el^dion : Enforce his pride,*
* On hi'm,] Old copy — ^him — . Stebvens.
' Yourju'd-for tongues ?] Your voices that hitherto have been
folicited. Steevens.
Your voices, not folicited, by verbal application, but Aied-fbr
by this man's merely (landing forth as a candidate, — Tour fued-for
ioupues, however, may mean, your voices, to obtain which y& manj^
make fuit to you ; and perhaps the latter is the more juft interpic-
tation. Ma LONE.
^ Enforce his pride,'] Objeft his pride, and enforce the ob-
je^on. Johnson.
So afterwards :
" Efiforceliim with his envy to the people—." STSBYBirt.
CORIOLANUS,
107
I
And his old hate unto you : befides, forget not
With what contempt he wore the humble weed;
How in his fu it he fcorn'd you : but your loves.
Thinking upon his fervices, took from you
The apprehenfion of his prefent portance/
Which gibingly^'^ ungravely, he did fafhion
After the inveterate hate he bears you.
Bru, Lay
A faulc on us, your tribunes ; that we laboured,
(No impediment between) but that you mufl:
Caft your election on him*
Sic^ Say, you chofe him
More after our commandment, than as guided
By your own true affcdions ; and that, your minds
Pre-occupy'd with what you rather mull do
Than what you Ihould, made you againft the grain
To voice him conful : Lay the fault on us.
£ru. Ay, fpare us not. Say, we read Ictiuresta
you.
How youngly he began to fcrve his country.
How long continued : and what ftock he fprings of.
The noble houfe o'the Marcians; from whence
came
That Ancus Marcius, Numa's daughter's fon.
Who, after great Hoftilius, here was king:
Of the fame houfe Publius and Quintus were,
That our bcft water brought by conduits hither;
And Cenforinus, darling of the people,^
s th prrfiffi pOTUnct^l L e* carnage* So, in Othelk:
** A n d p yrtatice in my t ravels' hift or)' /' Steevens.
* IVl- 5',] The old copy, redundantly,
' ''^ i^^f'^i^jM ^^* Steeveks.
* Jjfd CetffiriTtUj^ dfjihfig ofihf p^^pU,^ This vcrfc I have fup*
plied; a line having been certainly left out in rbis place, as witl
appear to any one who con fulls the begin nii>g of Plutarch's Lift tif
C^fiohMUi, (torn whence this paflage is direfUy tranflatcd. Pop e.
-mww
io8 C O R I O L A N U S.
And nobly nam'd fo, being cenfor twice/
Was his great anceftor.^
Sic. One thus defcended.
That hath befide well in his perfon wrought
The patfaffc in North's tranflatron, 1579, nins thus: •« The
houfe of the Martians at Rome was of the number of the patridang,
out of which hath fprone many noble perfonages: whereof Ancos
Martius was one, king Numaes dauehter's fonne, who was kiiy
of Rome after TuUus Hoftilius. Of the /am€ houfe were Pobliot
and Quintus» who brought to Rome their beft water they had by
conduits. QtXi{oTinM% 2\{o came of that famlie^ that was fo fumainel
becaufe the people had chofen him cenfor twice. "—Publius and
Quintns and Cenforinus were not the anceflors of Coriolanos, bot
his defcendants. Caius Martius Rutilius did not obtain the name
of Cenforinus till the year of Rome 487 ; and the Marcian wateit
were not brought to that city by aquedudls till the year 61 3» near
350 years after the death of Coriolanus.
Can it be fuppofed^ that he who would difregard fuch anachro-
nifmsy or rather he to whom they were not known% (hould have
changed Cato^ which he found in his Plutarch^ to Cal*ves, from a
regard to chronology ? Sec a former note, p. 37. Ma lone.
^ And nobly nam*d fo, being cenfor twice,] The old copy reads :
-i^ being twice cenfor \ but for the fake of harmony, I have ar-
ranged thdfe words as they ftand in our author's origii^, — Sir T.
North's tranflation of Plutarch : " — the people had chofen him
cenfor fwice.** Steevens.
' And Cenforinus
Was his great anceftorA Now the firft cenfor was created U. C.
314, and Coriolanus was Danifhed U. C. 262* The tnith is this :
the paflage, as Mr. Pope obferves above, was taken from Plutarch's
Life of Coriolanus I who, fpeakiag of the houfe of Coriolanus, takes
notice both of his anceflors and of his fofteritj, which our author's
hafle not giving him leave to obferve, has here confounded one
with the other. Another inftance of his inadvertency, from the
fame caufe, wc have in the firft part of Henry IF. where an account
is given of the prifoners took on the plains of Holmcdon :
Mardake the earl of Fife, and eldefi fon
9o beaten Douglas
But the earl of Fife was not fon to Douglas, but to Robert duke
of Albany, governor of Scotland. He took his account from
Holinfhed, whofc words are. And of prifoners amongfl others nvere
thefe, Mordack earl of Fife, fon to the gwemor Arkimbald, earl
Douglas, Sec. And he imagined that the governor and earl Douglas
were one and the fame penon. W a r b u r to n.
CORIOLANUS. 109
To be fct high in place, we did commend
To your remembrances : but you have founds
Scaling his prefent bearing with his part/
That he's your fixed enemy, and revoke
Your fudden approbation.
Bru. Say, you ne'er had done't,
(Harp on that ftill,) but by our putting on : ^
And prefcntly, when you have drawn your number.
Repair to the Capitoh
Cir. We will fo : almoft all \Jeveral Jpeak.
Repent in their eleftion. {Exeunt Citizens.
Bkv. Let them go on ;
This mutiny were better put in hazard.
Than (lay, pad doubt, for greater :
If, as his nature is, he fall in rage
With their refufal, both obferve and anfwer
The vantage of his anger.*
Sic. To the Capitol :
Come ; we'll be there before the ftream o' the
people ; '
And this fhall feem, as partly 'tis, their own.
Which we have goaded onward. {Exeunt.
* Scalhtg bit prefent hearing m)i$h bis faft,'\ That is iveigbing his
paft and prefent Dchaviour. Johnson.
9 by our putting on :] i. c. incitation. So, in King Lear:
•' — yoa protcft this courfe
*• And /«r/ it <?v by your allowance." Steevins.
So, Vi King Henry VIII:
•* .-^^-^ ZS putter on
" Ofthcfccxaftions."—
Sec Vol. XI. p. 29, n. 4. Malone.
* obferve and anf*wer
The <vantage of bis anger,'] Mark, catch, and improve the
opportunity, which his hafty anger will afford us. Johnson.
* '-•'^tbe ftream of the people ;] So, in King Henry VIIIx
«« — Thcrich/nrtfw
'* or lords and ladies having brought the queen
•• To a prepai'd place in the choir," &c. Malone.
no CORIOLANUS.
ACT III. S C E N E L
^hefame. A Street.
Comets. Enter CoKioL ANUS, Menenius, CominiuSj,
Titus Lartius, Senators, and Patricians. '
Cor. TuUus Aufidius then had made new head ?
LjiRT. He had» my lord ; and that it was^ which
caus'd
Our fwifter compofition.
Cor. So then the Voices ftand but as at firfl ;
Ready, when time fhall prompt them, to make road
Upon 's again.
Com. They are worn, lord conful,* fb.
That we fhall hardly in our ages fee
Their banners wave again.
Cor. Saw you Aufidius ?
Lart. On fafe-guard he came to me ; * and did
curfe
Againft the Voices, for they had fo vilely
Yielded the town : he is retired to Antium.
Cor. Spoke he of me ?
Ljrt. He did, my lord.
Cor. How ? what ?
Lart. How often he had met you, fword to
fword :
' — lord con/ut,'] Shakfpeare has here, as in other places^ at«
tributed the ufage of England to Rome. In his time the title of
/W was riven to many officers of (late who were not peers; thus,
tordt of the council^ /^r^ ambalTador, /(9r^ general, &c. Malorb*
4 On fale-guard he came to me ;] i. e. with a convoy, a guard
appointed to proted bim. Stbs v b ns.
C O R I O L A N U S. in
That, of all things upon the earth, he hated
Your perfon moft : that he would pawn his fortunes
To hopelefs reftitution, fo he might
Be call'd your vanquiflier.
Cor. At Antium lives he ?
Lart. At Antium.
Cor. I wifh I had a caufe to feek him there.
To oppofe his hatred fully. — Welcome home.
[To Lartius.
Enter Sicinius, and Brutus.
Behold ! thefe are the tribunes of the people.
The tongues o' the common mouth. I do defpife
them ;
For they do prank them in authority,'
Againfl all noble fufferance.
Sic. Pafs no further.
Cor. Ha ! what is that ?
Bru. It will be dangerous to
Go on : no further.
Cor. What makes this change ?
Mbn. The matter?
Com. Hath he not pafs'd the nobles, and the
commons ? ^
J prank them in authority,'] Plume, deck, dignify themfelves.
Johnson.
So, in Meafure for Meafure, A^ II. fc. li :
" Dreft in a little hiicf authority," Ste evens.
* Hath he not pafs* d the nobles, and the commons .^] The firft folio
leads: «* — noble, ^^ and •' common" The fecond has — common/.
I have not hefitat^ to reform this paflikge on the authority of others
in the play before us. Thus :
'* the noble/ bended
" As to Jove's ftatuc : — "
•' the common/ m^dc
*' A ihower and (hunder/' &c« STi«VB2csr
ill C O R I O L A N U S.
Bru. Cominius^ no.
Cor. Have I had children's voices?
I. Sen. Tribunes, give way; he Ihall to the
market-place.
Bru. The people are incensed againft him.
Sic. Stop^
Or all will fall in broiL «.
Cor. Are thefe your herd ? —
t/luOc thefe have voices, that can yield them now.
And ftraight difclaim their tongues ? — What arc
your offices ?
You being their mouths, why rule you not their
teeth ?^
Have you not fet them on ?
Men. Be calm, be calm.
Cor. It is a purposed thing, and grows by plot.
To curb the will of the nobility : —
SufFer't, and live with fuch as cannot rule, ,
Nor ever will be hil'd.
Bru. Call't not a plot:
The people cry, you mock'd them; and, of late.
When corn was given them gratis, you repin'd ;
Scandal'd the fuppUants for the people; call'd
them
Time-pleafers, flatterers, foes to noblenefs.
Cor. Why, this was known before.
Bru. Not to them all.
Cor. Have you informed them fince ? ^
Bru. How ! I inform them !
Cor. You are like to do fuch bufinefs.
^ why rule you not their teeth f'\ The metaphor is from
men's fetting a bull-dog or maftiffapon anjr one. Warbvrtok»
^ ^"-^Jiucef] The old cop)r— ^/Arjvr^. Steevbns,
7
CORIOLANUS.
113
I
I
I
I
I
Br a* Not unlike.
Each way, to better yours."
Com. Why then fhouid I be conful? By yon
clouds,
I^t me deferve fo ill as you, and make me
Your fellow tribune.
Sic. You (how too much of that^'
For which the people ftir: If you will pafs
To where you are bound, you mull: inquire youi
way,
Which you are out of, with a gentler fpiriti
Or never be fo noble as a conful.
Nor yoke with him for tribune.
Men. Let's be calm,
Com, The people are abus*d : — Set on. — This
paltering
Becomes not Rome j ' nor has Coriolanus
Defer v'd this fo difhonour'd rub, laid falfely *
* X^im/iht
Emh 'waj, to Afiteryonn* Vc] i, c, likely to provide bcrtcr
for the fccurity of the commonwealth than you (whofc &i*fttrfi It
b) vtill do. To which the reply is pertinent :
** \^Tiy then fhouid I be conful ?" Warbwrtok.
* Sic. Tom Jh^^vj too much of that ^ &c*] This fpeech \% given in
the old cnpy to Comblus. It waa rightly attributed to Skiniua
by Mr, TheobMd, Malone.
* Thh paltering
Eet^mts mt Rome i J That is, this trick of dilUmulauoni thif
-■ And he thefe juggling fiends no more believ'd* ,
'• That ^htr with us in a double fenfe." Madefh*
JoBKSOK*
Betemfi Mat Rome ;] I would read —
Becomes not Rom/?ffj;
Coriolanu^ being accented on the firjl, and not the fecond fylk-
bk, ia former inHances* St e e v e n s.
I Twh, /aiJ fiil/eljf Sec] Fal/fly {qi trtackeroujlj, JoHSIO?*.
The metaphor U from the bow ling -green, Maloni,
Vol- XI!. 1
114 C O R I O L A N U S.
r the plain way of his merit.
Cor. Tell me of corn !
This was my fpeech, and I will fpeak't again j^
Men. Not now, not now.
I. Sen. Not in this heat, fif^ now.
Cor. Now, as I live, I will. — My nobler friends,
I crave their pardons : —
For the mutable, rank-fcented marty,^ let them
Regard me as I do not flatter^ and
Therein behold thcmfelves : * I fay again^
In foothing them, we nourilh 'gaitlft our fktSMt
The cockle of rebellion,^ infoleilcCj fedition^
Which we ourfelves have plough'd for, fow'd and
fcatter'd,
fey mingling them with us, the honoured number;
Who lack not virtue, no, nor power, but that
Which they have given to beggars.
Men. Well, no more.
I. Sen. No more words, we befeech you,
. Cor. How! no more?
^ mofty,] .1. e. the populace. The Gredcs iilei w$iOm
txadlly in the fame fcnfc. Holt White*
J '-^'-^ let them
Regard me as I do not fatter ^ and
therein behold themfehes ;] Let them look in the mirror which
I hold op to them, a mirror which does not flatter, and (ee dma*
felves. Johnson.
* The cockle of rebellion 9"] Cockle is a weed which grows ap with
ihe corn. The thought is from Sir Thomas North's tranflation
of Plutarch^ where it is given as follows : ** Moreover, he ftid«
that thev nouriihed againft themfelves the naughty feed and cockle
of infolency and fedition, which had been (owed ai^ fcatteted
abroad among the people" &c. Steevens.
The cockle of rebellion^ itifolence^^ fedition^ Here are three l}'llables
too many. We might read, as in North's Plutarch :
<< The cockle of infolency and fedition.*' RiTf oir«
CORIOLANUS.
I have filed my blood.
IIS
As for my country j have ihea my
Not fearing outward force, fo Ihall my lungs
Coin words till their decay, againft thofc meazels,^
Which we difdain fhould tetter us, yet fought
The very way to catch them*
Bru. You fpeak o* the people.
As if you were a god to punifli, not
A man of their infirmity.
Sic* 'Twere well,
Wc let the people know't.
Men. What, what ? his choler ?
Cor. Choler!
Were I as patient as the midnight flecp.
By Jove, 'twould be my mind*
Stc* It is a mind.
That fhall remain a poifon where it is,
Nat poifon any further.
Cob, Shall remain! —
Hear you this Triton of the minnows ? * mark you
Hisabfolutc^a//r'
Co^f. 'Twas from the canon.'
CoH. Shall!
^ ■ miaztlst] Mefi/I is iifed in Firr^^ Pi^ywmsM't Fijtm for a
U^, Tht fame word frequently occois in The Ltmdm Pr^digat^
i6of* Stievens.
■ ^^^^minmrnJif} i* c, fmall fry, Warburton.
A mruMffw is one of ibe fmallcft river fifli, called in fome coun-
ties a /M. Johnson.
So, in L^e*f Lahur'sL^fl: '* ^— that bafc mmm^w of thy
mirth,—/* Steevens-
« *T'was frx^ iht tt^muJ] Was contrary to the eftablifhed rulci
ii wu a form of fpctch to which he h^s no right, Johkso w.
CORIOLANU
O good, but mod iinwife patricians,* why.
You grave, but rcc kiefs fenators, have you thus
TGiven Hydra here to choofe an officer,
*that with his peremptory yA/?//, being but
The horn and noife^o'the monfters^ wants not
fpirit
Thefe words appear to me to impl)^ the very reverfe. Cominiu*
means to fay, " that what Sicinius had faid, was according to ilic
rulcp'' aUudmg to the alifolute ^v//^ of the Tribunes, the power of
putting a Hop to every proceeding : — and, accordingly, Coriolanus,
inflcau of difpu ting this power of the Tribunes, proceeds to argoc
(jgainft the power itfelf, aiid to inveigh againll the Patricians for
Tiaving granted it* M. Mason*
* 0 good, iw/ w^ tifr^vr/f pdtrki^mf &c,] The old copy has — O
Godt but ^c. Mr, Theobald made the coneftioHi Mr< Steevcns
afks^ '* when the only aiitheniick ancient copy makes fenfe, why
ibould wc depart from it?'* — No one can oe more thoroughly
convinced of the general propriety of adhering to the old copy
than 1 am ; and I inift I have given abundant proofs of my at*
tention to it, by relloring atid eftabUfhing many ancient read-
ings in every one of thclc plays, which had been difplaced for
modern innovations : and if in the paflagc before U3 the ancienc
copy had a^irded fenfi^, I fhould have been very unwilling to
Willurb it* But it does not ; for it re^ds not " O Gndi^** as Mf*
Steevens fuppofed, but O G^d, an adjuration furely not proper in
the mouth of a heathen* Add to this, that the word httt is exhibited
with a fmall initial letter, in the only authentick copy ; and the
^rds ** gQ&d hut umwifc'* here appear to be the counterpart ofgr^rve
-and rtdUfi in the fubfequent line* On a re-confidcration of this
paffage therefore, I am confident that even my learned predeceflbr
willapprovcofiheemcndation now adopted , M a l o h e .
» I have not difplaced Mr* Malone^s reading, though it may lie
boferved, that an improper mention of the Supreme Being of the
Cbriftians will not appear decifn x on tliis occafion to the reader
who rccollefts that in TrQilm und Ctfffida the Trojaa Pandarus
IWears, *' by Gid'i lid/' the Greek '1 herfitcs exclaims—." G^d-
a- mercy;" and that, vivThe hlidJummtr*Night*i Drtam^ our author
kis put *• GWlliicld u*I'^ into the mouth of Bottom, an Aiheuiin
weaver* — I lately met «ith a lUll more glaring inltaucc of the fame
iinpropricty in another play of i^hakfpcaie, but cannot, at thia mo-
fhenr, afk:crt^n it. Steeveks.
* Thfh^rnand mife ] Alluding to his having csJlcd hiia
Triim before, W a a b r it toK*
I
4
I
CORIOLANUS.
iif
To fay, he'll turn your current in a ditch, ^
And make your channel his ? If he have power, ^
Then vail your ignorance: * if nonc^ awake ■;
Your dangerous lenity. If you are learned, ^
Be not as common fools ; if you arc not,
Let them have cuftiions by you- You arc plebeians.
If they be fcnators : and they are no lefs, T
When, both your voices blended, the greateft taftg
Moft palates theirs,^ They choofc their magiftratci
And fuch a one as he, who puts hh JbaU,
His popuUr Jbal/, againft a graver bench
Than ever frown 'd in Greece ! By Jove himfcif.
It makes the confuls bafc : and my foul akes/ *
I
4 Then tw'i! jmr ignorance:] If this man has fo^witf Ui ikt
■gf|i>raoce ikat ga^^r it him vail flr ha^jij d&^n Ifcprt him,
JoHNSON-
So, in The Taming tfa Shmv : ^
*' Then ^■^// your ftomachs—/' ^J^
Agaia, in Mea/urefir H^afun : " )'
** 'vail your regard *'T
•* Upon a wrong'd'' &c* Stievens* ^^
i ^ Voa ar€ pichsiani^ [l
ifihj hifinators ; and thty are m hfi^ ^ ^^
Whtit^ hQthjmT i:mc€t hUnded^ the great ffi fqfie -J
M-^ pakiei theirs,] Thefe lines may, I think* be made morq
intelligible by a very flight correftion ; ',,
^ they n9 ie/t \^tha^ /enatort] * ^^
When^ both ymr n^iat hlettded, the gnatefi tafti ,.^
. Mtift palate theirs, ^a
^Whcti the tafte of the greats the patricians, muft palate, mu^
fUsfi [or muft ^9] that of the plebeians. Johnson, ,^j
The plain meaning is^ that fenatart arid ^leheiant at-e e&ual, whrm
iht hightji tafii ii tfiji pitajltd 'with that ^whiih plea Jet tht i&^^Jh u -.
I chink: the meaning isp the pkbeians are no lefs thiui fen^HoriJ
whm, the voices of the fenate and the people being blended iJ»ejt-;
ther^ the predomiuant talle of the compound fmacks more of infe
popo Jacc than the fenatc . M a l o n e , ^'^
^ and mjfitil ahes^l The mifchief and abrurdity of whatj|
cslled impirium in impemt ts hen? finely exprelTcdt Warc ir E^tSW,
I3
iiS
CORIOLANUS.
To know, when two authorities are up.
Neither fupreme, how foon confufion
May enter 'twixt the gap of both, and take
The one by t'other.
Com. Welli^ — on to the market-place*
Cor, Whoever gave that counfel/ to give forth
The corn o'the ftorehoufe gratis, as 'twas us'd
Sometime in Greece^ —
Men. Well, well, no more of that*
Cor. (Though there the people had more abfo-
lute powerj
I fay, they nourifli'd difobediencc, fed
The ruin of the ftate.
Bru* Why, fliall the people give
I
7 Whoever gmc th^t comfii^ Brc] So, in the old trannation of
Fiutanh : " Therefore, fayed he, they ihat gauc coimfcll, and
perfwaded that the Cornc fhould be giucB out to the common peo-
ple gratify as I hey vfcd to doc in cities of Gr^ce, where the peaple
had more a bfo Jute power, dyd but only nourllhc their difobedictice^
which would breake out in the ende, to the vttcr ruine and onei-
throw of the whole ftate. For they will not thinckc it b done in
Tccompeufe of their fcjvicc paftj fi thence they know well enough
rhcy hauc fo often refufed lo go to the war res, when they were ■
commaunded : neither for their mutinies when they went with vs, I
whereby iKcy haue rebelled and forfaken their con ntrie : neither
for their accu fat ions which their flatterers haue preferred vnto them,
and they have recevucd, and made good againft thcfenatc: but
theywill raiher judge we geue and graunt them this, as abaUng
OUT felues, and ftanfing in fcare of thenij and g!ad to flatter them
cuery way. By this meanes, their dirol>edience will ftill grow worfc
and worfe ; and they will neuer leave to praftife ncwc fcditlon,
and vprorcs. Therefore it were a g^at follie for vs, me thinckes,
to do it ; yea, fiiall I faye more I we fliould if we were wife, take
from them their tribuneihippe, which mofl manifeftty is the cm-
hafing of the confuifhippe, and the caufeof the diuifion of the ctnie.
The ftate whereof as it ilandeth, is not now as it was wont to
be* but bccommcth difmembered iu two factions, which mainieine*
ullwayes ciuUI di^endon and difcorde bet^^ene vs, and will n^acf
foffa as a^uce to be vmied inta €n£ bodk," Stssveks.
I
CORIOLANUS.
119
I
I
^ One, that fpcaks thus, their voice ?
Com, V\\ give my reafons.
More worthier than their voices. They know, the
corn
Was not our recompenfe; rcfting well aflur'd
They ne'er did fervice for't : Being prefs'd to the
war.
Even when the navel of the ftate was touch'd.
They would not thread the gates:* this kind of
fervice
Did not deferve corn gratis : being i* the war.
Their mutinies and revolts, wherein they fhow*d
Moft valour, fpoke not for them: The accufation
Which they have often made againft the fenate.
Ail eaufe unborn, could never be the native^
Of our fo frank donation. Well, what then?
How fhall this bofom multiplied * digeft
The fenate's courtefy ? Let deeds exprefs
What's like to be their words : — IVe did requeft il ;
iFe are ibe grea/er pall^ and in true fear
They gave us our demands : — ^Thus we debafe
The nature of our feats^ and make the rabble
Call our cares, fears : which will in time break ope
• Tj^'wc$iid»&i thread fh^gnifs:] That is, fia/s them. Wcyet
fjiy, to r^rtaii an alley* J oh nson,
So* ift Km£ Lfur:
•* /j^rfW/:#^4iark-ey'd night.'' Steevens.
* t^uld nrv€t he tht native — ] Native for aitural birth-
Warburto.v,
Native u here not natural birth, but natural panut, or muft of
hkih* JoHKSOBf,
So, til a kindred fenfc, in Kwg Henty V :
** A many of our bodies mall no doubt
* ' Find native graves, " M a l o N e •
■ ^— ^/j&w ^aM mulnpiied — ] ThU mHltituiimnt bofcm; the
bofoQi of that gfeat monftcr^ the people. Mai,onep
l4
12Q
CORIOLANUS.
The locks o* the fcnate, and bring in the crows
To peck the eagles. —
Men. Come, enough.'
Bru, Enoughi with over-meafurc.
Cor* No, take more;
What may be fworn by, both divine and human^
Seal what J end withal ! — This double worfhip^* —
Where one part * docs difdain with caufe, the other
Infult without ail reafon; where gentry, title, wif-
dom
Cannot conchide, but by the yea and no
Of general ignorance, — it muft omit
Real ncceOlties, and give way the while
To unliable flighuicfs : purpofe fo barr*d, it foL
lows.
Nothing is done to purpofe: Therefore, befecch
you,—
You that will be lefs fearful than difcreet;
That love the fundamental part of ftate.
More than you doubt the change oft;* that prefer
* Ccffi&t enough,] Pcrhap this itnpcrfc^ line was original I)
c oiuplctcd by a rcpc t i ti on ol- — e naught Steeveks*
^ N&^ uke men :
What may he jkvtfffr Bjt h^^ dk/mf and hum&n^
Seai fwhai I tnd ix'tihnl /\ The fenfe is. No, let me add thii
ftirther^ and may every thing divine and human which can give
Jorce to an oath^ bear witnefs to the truth of what 1 fliall concFudc
with,
1 he Romans fworc by what was hutnan as well as divine ; by
their head, by their eyes, by the dead bones and allies of their pa-
rents, &c. See Briffondc/Smtt///, p. 80S — 817* Heath,
^ Wh^rt one part — ^ In the old copy we have here^ as in many
other places^ ew inftead of ontu The correftion was made by Mr*
RowCp See VoK VIII, p. 100, n. 6, Maloue*
* nm i^FVe the fu/idamentai pari affittU^
Mare tbanym doubt the change nft j] To dmht is to^^r. The
meaning b» You whofc zeal prcdomiaates over your tcrrours \ yoti
CORIOLANUS.
I
I
A nobJe life before a long, and wifti
To jump a body* with a dangerous phyfick
That's furc of death without it^ — at once pluck out
The multitudinous tongue, let them not lick
The fweet which is their poifon : ^ yourdilhonour
Mangles true judgement,^ and bereaves the ftate
Of that integrity which fhould become it;*
Not having the power to do the good it would^
For the ill which doth control it.
Bitv. He has faid enough,
who do not fo much fear the danger of violent meafurcsj as wi(h
the good to which they are necc^Tai^', the prdervation of the orU
^al candi tut ion of o u r gov c rn men u Johnson*
^Tis jump a hdy ] Thus the old copy* Modem cditon
nadz
Ts vam^>- - -
To Jftmp anciently fignifieJ to Joli, to give a rude concuflioti to
any thuig. Tc jump a hdy may therefore mean, i& f&t if hm a
^mUwi agitalkrr or etffnmotwrtm
So, in PhiL Holland's ttanllation of P%'/ Nau Hift. K XXV.
ch- V- jn arg : ** If we lookc tor good fucceflc in our cure by
mitiiftnng eUcborc, kc^ for certainly it puttcth the patient to a
jmrn^ft or great hasKird/' STEiyE:ils<»
From this pafTage in Pliny, it fhould feetn that " to /«*!/ «
body,** meant to hjk a body ; and fuch an explication fecms to m©
to be fupported by the context in the paflagc before us.
So, in Mitchett :
** VVe'dyflw/ the life to come,"
Again, in JMi&fty and CUnfatra, A^ III* fc, viii:
" ■ our fortune lies
" Upon this y««/.'* Mauoni,
5 Ut them mt Uik
Tht^ j'wttt fwhkh ii iheir p&i/m:^ So, in Meafiire fir Mea/un :
** Like rats that ravin up their proper bane — /*
Stsevemi,
Man^ldi true judg^mentj] Judgement is the ftcnliy by which
fight is diflinguilhed from wrong* Johnson.
^ O/ihm integrity -Lu^/r^ /iw/t/ become it ;] Iftugrtty u in this
place Jhmfdmjst uniformity, confiftency, in the fame fenfc as J3r.
Warburron often ufes it, when he mentions the mtegri^ of a meta-
phor. To bccQmtt is iQ/uii^ to btp* J oh it son.
^^■* »-« ^ "
133
CORIOLANUS.
Sjc, He has fpoken like a traitori and fliall an-
fwer
As traitors do.
Cor. Thou wretch f defpite o'erwhelm thee ! —
What fhould the people do with thefe bald tribunes ?
On whom depending, their obedience fails
To the greater bench : In a rebellion.
When what*s notmeet^ but whatmufl: be, was law.
Then were they chofen ; in a better hour,
Xet what is meet^ be faid, it muft be mcet^^
And throw their power i' the duft,
£ru> Manifeft treafon.
Sic, This a conful ? no*
£ru* The aediles^ho ! — Let him be apprehended
Sjc. Go, call the people; [Exii Brutus,] in
whofe name, myfelf
Attach thee, as a traitorous innovator,
A foe to the publick weal; Obey, I charge thce^
And follow to thine anfwen
Cor. Hence, old goat !
^ Sen. and P//t* We'll furety him.
Com. Aged fir, hands oC
Com. Hence, rotten thing, or I fliall fliake thy
bones
Out of thy garments,*
Sic. Help, ye cici^em.
m
3 lef fwhm h mffff bf fmd^ if muft be meet^ Let it be faid by
you, that what is mettle be done, muft be meet, L c, Jhnllht dmr^
and pui an end at once to the tribunitian power, which \* as cft»-
bliftied, when irrcfiftible violence, not a tegaid to propriety, di-
fC^d the Icgiilarure, Maloki,
^ Jhuki thy hmtt
Out of thj garment $,1 So, in King y^hn:
" here'^i a itay,
** That JhakfS tkr ivruu careqft of old death
'• Ohi cf kit ragi P* Steev^hs
C O R I O L A N U S,
<^
Re-enter Brutus, with the Mdihs^ and a rabhk of
Ciiizens.
Men. On both fides more refpeft.
Sic. Here's he^ that would
Take from you all your power.
Bru* Seize him, j^dilcs*
Cm Down with him, down with him !
{^Several fpeaL
2. Sen^ , Weapons, weapons, weapons!
[^Tbey all bujile ahmd Coriolanus.
Tribunes, patricians, citizens! — what ho! —
Siciniusj Brutus, Coriolanus, citizens !
Ci^. Peace, peace, peace ; ftay, hold, peace !
Meh. What is about to be? — I am out of breath;
Confufion*s near; I cannot fpcak: — ^You, tribunes
To the peopIe,^ — Coriolanus^ patience:' —
Speak, good Sicinius,
Stc. Hear me, people ; — Peace.
Or. Let*s hear our tribune: — Peace* Speak,
fpeak, fpeak.
Slc^ You arc at point to lofe your liberties;
Marcius would have all from you ; Marcius^
I* ?© thef^^iet — Cariolattmi faikm^ ;] I would read :
Speak /• tht pifipli^ — C^ridamitf patitna > —
TiTwhin propofca an amendment to tlik paflagp, but nothing
If neceilary except to point it properly,
Confuilon's near, — I cannot* Speak you, tribunes^
To the people.
He deiires the tiibunes to fpcak to the people, bccaufe he was
iiot able ; and at the end of the fpcech repeats the fame requcR tq
^ icini u $ in particu lar. M < Mason.
I fee no need of any alteration* Mai out*
I
J24 C O R I O L A N U S.
Whom late you have nam*d for conful.
Men. Fie, fie, fie !
This is the way to kindle, not to quench.
I. Sen. To unbuild the city, and to lay all flat.
Sic. What is the city, but the people ?
Cjt. True,
The people are the city.
Bru. By the confent of all, we were ellablifh'd
The people's magiftrates.
Cir. You fo remain. '
Men. And fo are like to do.
Cor. That is the way to lay the city flat ;
To bring the roof to the foundation ;
And bury all, which yet diftinftly ranges.
In heaps and piles of ruin.
Sic. This deferves death.
Bru. Or let us (land to our authority.
Or let us lofe it : — We do here pronounce.
Upon the part o* the people, in whofe power
We were eled:ed theirs, Marcius is worthy
Of prefent death.
Sic. Therefore, lay hold of him ;
Bear him to the rock Tarpeian, and from thence
Into deftrudlion caft him.
Bru. i^diles, feize him.
Cir. Yield, Marcius, yield.
Men. Hear me one word.
Befeech you, tribunes, hear me but a word.
jEdi. Peace, peace.
Men. Be that you feem, truly your country's
friend.
And temperately proceed to what you would
Thus violently redrefs.
Br
u*
CORIOLANUS,
Sir, thofe cold wayS|
'^5
That feem like prudent helps, are very poifonous *
B WTierc thedifeafc is violent : — Lay hands upon himi
■ And bear him to the rock*
ICqr, No s I'll die here.
[Dra'wing bis /word.
There's fome among you have beheld me fighting;
Come^ try upon yourfelves what you have feen me.
hfEN. Down with that fword j — Tribunes^ with-
draw a while*
Bru. Lay hands upon him,
Men* Help, help Marcius! help,
Yqu that be noble j help him, young, and old !
ICjr- Down with him, down with him !
[/» ibis mutiny^ the Tribunes, the j?idilcs, and
ibe people^ are beat w*
Men. Go^ get you to your houfe;* be gone,
away,
Phil will be naught elfe.
2, Sen. Get you gone.
Cor. Stand faft;^
»We have as many friends as enemies.
Mks, Shall it be put to that?
i» Sen* The gods forbid !
I pr*y thee, noble friend, home to thy houfe ;
1^ t'^ry poi/omm ] Treat!:
d re ^MFj poifons . J u w hr so K •
• - -getyuu is your hQufii] Old Coj>y-
by Mr* Rowc. So below :
*' I pr'ytbee* noble friend, home to tfy houfc." M alone,
* Stsfidfaft ; &c.] [Old copy — Com- Stand faft ; a-c,] Thii
Jjcech c^rrtainly fboald be given to Coriolanus ; for all bis firicndi
perfuade him to retire. So, Cominius prefcnlly after :
*• Ci^mc, fir^ alang with us/* Wi^RiiufcTox,
\\^^. Corrc^cd
126
C O R I O L A N U S.
Leave us to cure this caufc*
Men* For 'tis a fore upon us/
You cannot tent yourfelf: Begone, 'befeechyou^
Com. Come, fir, along with us. M
Cor, I would they were barbarians, (as they are.
Though in Ronie Iitter'd,J not Ron\ans, (as thef
are not.
Though calv'd i' the porch o* the Capitol,) —
Mex^ Be gone J
Put not your worthy rage into your tongue j
One time will owe another**
• Fi^r '//r a fan upon us»] The trt'O Ia{l impeftmcnt wofdi^
which dcftroy the meafure^ are an apf^arent interpolaeion.
Stegvems.
? Cor, / n^jntild they ^Wite harBmians {m thfj aug
TkoTfgh in Rame htUr*di) nst Ri^mafts^ [m thej art jm*.
Though cah'd i* the porch o* iBe CupitoL) —
Bfgmei &c,] The beginning of this fpcech, [attribtited b
the old copy to Menffim^l I am perfyadcd, fhould be given to Co*
liolanus. The latter part only belongs to Mencnius :
*' Be gone ;
•* Put not your worthy rage" ficc. Ti'^whitt,
I have divided this fpcech according to Mr. Tyrwhiti's dlreiflim*
Steeveks*
The word, hrgtau, certainty belongs to Menenius^ who was rciy
aniious to get Coriolanus away.^In 3ic preceding page he fays,
" Go, get you to your hoofe ; begone, away,*—,''
And in a few Kaes after, he repeats the fame requeft.
*' Pray you, be gone :
" Ml try whether my old wit be m rcqueft
•* With thofe that have but littk ;" M* Mason,
• Om iimt rufiii &^v amthfr,] I know not whether to «iv m
this place means to fiojf/s bj rij^t^ or to ^ mddud. Either fenfo
may be admitted, Ow /x>r, in which the people arc fcditiouj,
will jrTT m p5-wfr in fome other time : or^ this timt of the people't
pretlooiinance will mn thm in deht : that is, will lay them open to
the kw^ and expofe them hereafter to more fcrvEe fubje^ion.
I
C O R I O L A N U S.
tl^
Con.
I could beat forty of them.
Men.
On fair ground,
I could myfcif
I
I
I
I
I
Take up a brace of the belt of them; yea, the
two tribunes*
Com. But now 'tis odds beyond arithmeticki
And manhood is calPd foolery, when it ftands
Againft a falling fabrick. — Will you hence.
Before the tag return?^ whofe rage doth rend
Like interrupted waters^ and o'erbear
What they arc usM to bear* ,
Mmk* Pray you, be gone :
lil try whether my old wit be in requcft
With thofe that have but little ; this mull: be patched
With cloth of any colour.
Com. Nay> come away,
^Exeunt Cor iol anus. Com i mi us, and Others,
I. P^r* This man has marr'd his fortune*
Men* His nature is too noble for the world :
He would not flatter Neptune for his trident.
Or Jove for his power to thunder. His heart's his
mouth :
What his breaft forges, that his tongue muftvcnt;
And, being angry, does forget that ever
He heard the name of death, ^A noife wiibin*
I belieire Menenitas mcansj " This time wifl owe us one more
foriunaic/* It is a common cxprcffion to fay, *< Tills day layouiSj
the next may be mine/' M. Mason.
Tbc meaning feems to bc^ One time will com pen fate for aoother,
Oar rime of inujuph will come hereafter: time will be in oiir
debt* ^lU £^d^^ tis a good turn, for our prefent difgr^ce. Let us
t nift to fu tu thy * Ma l o k e .
* BrfifTf the wg rtiurnfX The lowed and moft def[iicable of the
populace arc itill denominated by ihofc a little above them* T&^^
tag^ mndhhtaih Johnson,
•-?
laS C O R I O L A N U S,
Here's goodly work !
2. Pat. I would they were a-bed !
Men* I would they were in Tiber! — What, the
vengeance.
Could he not fpeak them fair?
Re^nler Brutus and SrciNius, with the raUle.
Sic* Where is this viper.
That would depopulate the city, and
Be every man himfelf ?
Men. You worthy tribunes, —
Sic, He fliall be thrown down the Tarpeian rock
With rigorous hands ; he hath refifted law.
And therefore law ihall fcorn him further trial
Than the fever it y of the publick power.
Which he fo fets at nought.
I. CjT- He (hall well know.
The noble tribunes are the people's mouths.
And wc their hands.
Ctr.
Hefliall, fureon't.9 ^
[Several /peak together.
Men.
Sir/—
Stc.
Peace.
♦ He fl>alh furt on't,] The meaning of thefe words b not very
obvious. Perhaps they mean. He (hall, that's fu re, lamincUiied
to think that the fame error has happened here and m a pailige in
Antimy and Chfipatra^ and that in both places fun is printed inHead
Q^ fire. He fhall fuffer for it, he Ihall rue the vengeance of the
people, — The editor of the fecond foHo reads — He fhall, fure tmt ;
and u and n being ofteri confounded, the emendation might be ad*
mittedj but that there is not here any queftion concerning the cx-
pulfion of Coriolanus. What is now propofcd, is, to throw him
down the Tarpeian ro^k. It is abfurd therefore that the rabble
CORIOLANUS.
129
Mim Do not cr/j havoc k,' where you flxould
but hunt
With modcft warrant.
Sic. Sir, how comey't^ that you
Have holp to make this rcfcue ?
^MEN. Hear me fpeak :—
Atoo
fiid,
I
ftoald hy way of confirmation of what tbcir leader Sicinius had
laldf propofe a punishment he has not fo rouch ai nientiaiied
moA wbich, when he does afurrwarii meniion it, he difapproved
of:
*' — to €Jfii him hence,
*• Were out one danger,''
1 ha^e therefore left the old copy undiftufbed* Malonb,
Perhaps our author wrote — with reference to the foregoing
fpccch.
He (hall, ht fure on'e.
L e, be affured that he (hall he taught ibc rcfped due to both tht
iribanca and the people, Steevens,
* $ir^ Old copy — redundantly. Sir, fir, STEEVEMi,
* Ps mi CTjt havoclc, twhtrejoufiauid hut hmi
$Fiih m&deft 'wsrrnfft*] i, c. Bo not give the fignal for unltmit-
oi Hatighter, kc. Sec Vol* VllL p. yi, n. f . Ste evens*
T^crjfkmioik^ was> 1 believe, origmally a fporting phrafc^ from
J^^, which in Saxon figtiiiies a ha^L It was al'ccrward$ ufed
in irar. So, in King John .*
•■ €ry%£tv9€k^ kings."
And in Juim Cafar:
** Cry hm^ti^ and let flip the dogs of war/*
It feems to hav^e been the fignal for general flaughter, and \% cx-
pieffly forbid in Th Ordinames dtx Baftai/Us, ^ R^ ii, art. lo:
" Item, que nul foil £ hardy de crier ^m/fti fur peine d'avoir
Ja tcft cogpc/'
The fecond article of the fame Ordinances fcems to have been
fatal to Bardolph. It was death even to couch the ^ix if iUtU
*" Icem« que nul foit fi hardy de Hucher \t corps dc noftre
Seigneur, ni u tutffdin qud il ^, fur peyne d 'eft re ?raineai h pcndu,
,Sc lercftc avoir coupe*" Mb, C<imn. Nero D. VI.
TrjiwiiiTT-
Vol. XII, K
X30
CO R lO L A N U S*
As I do know the conful's "worthinefsj
So can I name his faults : —
Sic. Conful ! — what conTul J
Men. The conful Coriolamis.
Bru. He a conful !
Cir. No, no, no, no, no.
Men. If, by the tribunes' leave, and yours, good
people,
I may be heard, I'd crave ^ word or two ;
The which fhall turn you to' no further "harm.
Than fo much lofs of time
Sic. Speak briefly thca^
For we are peremptory, to delpatch
This viperous traitor : to ejedl him hence.
Were but one danger; and, to keep him heneg
Our certain death ; therefore, it is decreed.
He dies to-night.
Men. Now the good gods forbid.
That our renowned Rome, whofe gratitude
Towards her dcfervcd children^ is enroll'd
In Jove's own book, like an unnatural dam
Should now tzt tip her own !
Sic. He's a difeafe, that muft be cut awa}r.
Men. O, he's a limb, that has but a difeafe $
Mortal, to cut it off; to cure it, eafy.
What has he done to Rome, that's worthy death 2
Killing our enemies ? The blood he hath Irtfl:,
' — — /&tf//ttfm you to — ] This lingular cxprcflion has alieadf
occurred in The Tempefi :
•* my heart bleeds
** To think o' the teen that I have turned jou to**
STBEVty^
*^ Tonvards her deferved children — ] De/erved, loi defertnng. So,
delighted for delighting^ in Othello :
V If virtue no delighted ieautj hck,"— . Maloni.
C Q R I O L A N U S. i3f
(Which, I dare vouch, is more than that he hath.
By inany an ounce,) he dropp'd it for his countiy :
And, what is left, to lofe it by his country^
Were to us all, that do't, and fuffcr it,
A brand to the end q* the world.
Sic. Thi3 is clean kam.^
Bru. Meriely awry:^ When he did love his
country.
It honoured him.
Men. The fervice of the foot
Being once gangren'd, is not then refped:ed
For what befpre it was ? ^
J This it ckan kam.] i. e. Awry. So Cotgrave interprets, Toni
nfa a comirtfoiL All goes clean kam. Hqice a cambrel for a CTooke^
tick, or the bend in a horfe's hinder leg. VVarburton.
Th€ Welch word for crooked is kam; and in Lyly's* EnJymioHp
I $9 1, is the following pafTage: ** But timely, madam, crooks
that tree that wHl be a cumock^ an^ young it prjicks tha,t will b)p
a thorn."
Again, in Sappho andPhao^ J C91 :
*• Camocis muft be bowed with fleight not ftrcngth."
Vulgar pronunciation has corrupted clean kanp into kimkam, and
this corruDtion is preferved in that great repofitory of ancient vul-
garifms, Manyhurft's tranflaiion of A7r^i7, 1582:
** Scinditur incertum Jtudia in cgntraria vujgus.*
•« The wavering commons in kjm kam fc?tes are haled."
Stebvbns;
In the old tranflation of Gufman de 4lfarache the words kim^^
hsm, occur feveral times. Amongft others, take the following
inftance : *' All goes topfie turvy ; all kim, kam ; ^11 is tricks ana
deiriccs: all riddles and unknown myfleries." P. 100. Reed.
^ Merelj awry :] i. c. abfolutely. See Vol. IIL p. 9, n. 5.
Stbeveni.
' Being once gangrened , is not then refpeBed
For luhat before it ivas /*] Nothing can be more evident, than
that this could never be faid by Coriolanus's apologiil, and that it'
was faid by one of the tribunes ; I have therefore given it to Sid-
nias. Warbuaton.
I have xeftor'd it to Menenius, placing an interrogation point fZ
K 2
1J4
CORIOLANUS.
Bru, We'll hear no more : —
Purfue him to his houfe, and pluck him thence;
Left his infeiftion^ being of catching nature.
Spread further,
Men. One word more, one word.
This tiger- footed rage^ when it fhall find
The harm of unfcann'd fwiftnefs, will^ too late.
Tie leaden pounds to his heels. Proceed by pro-
cefs;
Left parties fas he is belovM) break out.
And fack great Rome with Romans,
Bru* If it were fo,—
Sic. What do ye talk ? _
Have we not had a taftc of his obedience?
Our sediles fmote? ourfclves refifted? — Come: — ^^
Men. Canfider this; — He has been bred i* the
wars
Since he could draw a fword, and is ill fchool'd
In boulted language; meal and bran together
He throw s without diftindion. Give me leave,
ril go to him, and undertake to bring him*
the conclufioii of the fpeech. Mr. Malone. confidcrmg it as an"
imperfect fcntencc, gives it thus ;
For ^vhai btfort it liias \ — Steeveks,
You ailedge, fays Menemus, that bebg difeafed, he muft be
cut away. According then to your argument^ ihe foot, being
once gangrened, is not to be refpcaed for what it was before it
was gangrened, — '* h thh jufi Y'* Mcnenius would have oiidedp if
the tribune had not incerrdpred him : and inderd, without any
fuch addition, frotn his date of the argument thcfc words are un-
ilerltood, Mauoke.
' 'ff hfini him — ] In the old copy the words m ptmw w«
found at the end of this liiie. They probably were 15 the Mf.
placed at the beginning of the next Une, and cjiughc by the Iran*
fcriber's eye glancing on the line bebw. The cimtKlatioa wat
siade by Mr. Pope, Maloni.
C O R I O L A N U S. 133
Where he Ihall anfwer, by a lawful form,
(In peace) to his utmoft peril.
I. Sen. Noble tribunes.
It is the humane way : the other courfe
Will prove too bloody ; and the end of it
Unknown to the beginning.''
Sic. Noble Menenius,
Be you then as the people's officer z^—
Mafters, lay down your weapons.
Bru. Go not home.
Sic. Meet on the market-place : — We'll attend
you there :
Where, if you bring not Marcius, we'll proceed
In our firft way.
AffiAT. I'll bring him to you : —
Let me defire your company. [/(? the Senators.J He
muft come.
Or what is word will follow.
J. Sen. Pray you, let's to him.
[Exeunf.
9 the end of U
Unkwwu to the he^tmmg^ So, in The Tempeftt AA II. fc. i :
*' The latter end of his commonwealth forgets the beginning."
ST£EVKNI»
K3
134 C O R I O L A N U S.
SCENE 11.
A Room in Coriolanus's Houfe.
Enter CoKioLAWs^ tfwi Patricians.
Cor. Let them pull all about mine cars ; prefcnt
me
Death on tht wheel, or at wild horfes* heels ; '
* Death on the *wheel, or at *wild hor/its* heels \\ Neither of theft
puniihments was known at Rome. Snakfpeare nad probably mui
or heard in his youth that Balthazar de Gerrard> wxio a(iimhatc<l
William prince of Orange in 1 58^, was torn to pieces by wild
horfes ; as Nicholas de Salvedo had been not long before^ for con^
{piring to take awav the life of that eallant prince.
When I wrote this note, the puniinment which TuUus Hoftilius
inflidled on Mettius Suffetius for deferting the Roman fUndaxdy
had efeaped my memory :
** Haud procul inde citz Metium in diverfa qUldrigae
*• Diilulerant, (at tu didis, Albane, maneres^)
** Raptabatque viri mendacis vifcera Tullus
*• Per fylvam ; ct fparfi rorabant fanguine vcpres."
iEn. VIII. 642.
However, as Shakfpeare has coupled this fpecies of jpaniihment
with anotlier that certainly was unknown to ancient Rome, it it
highly probable that he was not apprized of the (lory of Mettiot
Suffetius, and that in this, as in various other inftances, the prac-
tice of his own time was in his thoughts : (for in 1 594 John
Chadel had been thus executed in France for attempting to aflaffi-
nate Henry the Fourth :) more efpecially as we know from die
teftimony of Livy that this cruel capital punilhment was never in-
flided from the beginning to the end of the Republick, except ixx
this iingle inilance.
** Exinde, duabus admotis quadrigis, in currus earum diftentom
illigat Metium. Deinde in diverfum iter equi concitati, lacemm
in utroque curru corpus qua inhxferant vinculis membra, portantes.
Avertere omnes a tanta fccditate fpc^laculi oculos. Primum ultU
mum^ illud fupplicium apud Romanos exempli parum memorit
legum humanarum fuit : in aliis, gloriari licet nulli gentium mi*
tiorcs placuifle pcenas." Liv. lib. I, xxviii. Maloke.
C O R I 0 L A N U S. in
Or pile ten hills on the Tarpeian rock.
That the precipitation might down ftfetch
Below the beam of fight, yet will I ftiU
Be thus to them.
EjiUr VotvMNiA.
!• Pjt. You do the nobler.
Cor. I mufe,' my mother
Does not approve me further, who was wont
To call them woollen valTals, things created
To buy and fell with groats ; to ftiow bare heads
In congregations, to yawn, be ftill, and wonder.
When one but of my ordinance -♦ flood up
To fpeak of peace, or war. I talk of you ;
[To VoLUMi^IA,
Why did you wi(h me milder ? Would you havemc
Falfe to my nature ? Rather fay, I play
The man I am,*
FoL. O, fir, fir, fir,
I would have had you put your power well on.
Before you had worn it out.
Ck)R. Let go/
^ J 9ufip,] That is, I tvonder, I amatah/s. Johnson.
So, in Macbeth :
•• Do not muje at mc, my moft noble friends—.*'
STBEVBirt.
4 ^^..^mj 9rdintutce — ] My rank. Johnson.
' The man I am,'\ Sir Thomas Hanmer fupplies the defeA in this
line, very judicioufly in my opinion, by rcadmg :
Truly tbt man I am.
Tmtfy is properly oppoied to Fal/e in the preceding line.
Stsevens.
^ Lei go.] Here again Sir Thomas Hanmer, with fufficient pror
prietjr, reads — ff^fy, let // go. — Mr. Ritfon would complete the
meaiure with a fimilar expreflion, which occurs in OthtlU^ — ** Let
it go mU.*' — Too many ot the (hort replies in this and otherplayi of
Sluikfpeare^ arp apparently mutilated. Stebvens.
K4
f
136 C O R I O L A N U S.
Vol* You might have been enough the man you
arc.
With ftriving lefs to be fb : Lefler had been
The thwart! ngs of your difpofitions/ if
You had not fhow'd them how you were difpos'd
Ere they lack'd power to crofs you.
Cor, Let them hang.
Vou Ay, and burn too*
£«/irr Menenius, j^iSenators*
Men, Come, come, you have been too rough,
fome thing too rough ;
You mull return, and mend it_
I. Sen. There's no remedy;
Uiilefs, by not fo doing, our good city
Cleave in the midft, and perilh.
Vol, Pray, be counferdl
I have a heart as little apt as yours,
But yet a brain, that leads my ufe of anger.
To better vantage.
Men* Well faid, noble woman
Before he fhould thus ftoop to the herd,* but that
* The thvvarEings rfjmr df/fm/irms ,J The old copies exhibit It ;
Tj^ things f]tfy&ftrdifpijithfti,
A few letters repkc'd^ that bjr fome carclciTnefs dr»pp*d oot,
Tcftore us the Poct*s genuine readbg ;
The thwart i ngs ofj^nr difpojimm, Theobald.
Mr< Theobald only im proved on Mr< Rowe's correAion —
The things ibat thwart your difpofidons. Malone«
fore he Jhmld thus fioof t& the herd,] [Old copy — fto
the heurt-^ But ho (V did CoHolanus fttjop to his he^rt^ He ratW,
^ Before he Jhmld thus fimf t& the herd,] [Old copy — ftoop to
\t heurt-^ But ho (V did CoHolanus fttjop to his he^rt^ He rather,
as we vulgirly exprefs it, made his proud heart iloop to the neceflity
of the times. I ampcrfuaded, tnyemcfidation gives the true rcad-
iJig, So before in iriis play :
" Areihcfeyourifri^/"
So, in yaimt C^/at : '* — when he perceived, ibc common ^^
was gUd he rcfus'd the crown,*' &c- Tu eoi alo.
C O R 1 O L A N U S,
137
The violent fie o* the time craves it as phyfick
For the whole ftate, I would put mine armour on.
Which I can fcarcely bean
CoA. What mufl I do?
Men. Return to the tribunes.
Cor, Well,
What then ? what then ?
Men. Repent what you have fpoke*
Cor, For them? — I cannot do it to the gods ;
Muft I then do't to them ?
f^OL* You are too abfolute ;'
Thouglj therein you can never be too noble.
But when extremities fpeak.^ I have heard you fay.
Honour and policy^ like unfever'd friends,
r the war do grow together: Grant that^ and tell
me,
In peace, what each of them by th* other lofe.
That they combine not there.
Cob. Tufh, tufh!
Men. a good demand,
FoL, If It be honour, in your wars, to feem
The fame you are not, (which, for your beft cnds^
You adopt your policy J how is it lefs, or worfe,
That it Iball hold companionfhip in peace
With honour, as in war ; lincc that ro both
It (lands in like requcft ?
Mr. TiKrobaW *s conje^ure is covtBrmed by a paflage, in which
Corioknu? thus defcribcs rhe people :
•' You fbame* of Rome ! you J^rd of '*
Herd wds anciently f|^k ktard* Hence kt^rt crept Into the old
copy* Maloki.
* Tm art tm ah/Jute ;
Tl>^gh ikertiHj&tf can ne^tr he foQ mkh^
Bui *whm extrtmitm fpeaL^ Except in cafes of urgent neceC-
fity, when your rcfolutc and noble fpif it, however cotnmendabli
ai other times, ought to yield to the occafion, MAtOKE,
138
C O R I O L A N U S.
Cor, Why force you ^ this ?
FoL. Becaufe that now it lies you on to fpeak
To the people ; not by your own inflrudion,
Nor by the matter which your heart prompts yoti
to/
But with fuch words that are but rotcd in
1four tongue, though but baflards^ and fy Uablcs
Of no allowance, to your bofom's truth/^
*! Wkj force jfflH^ Why urge you. Johnson*
So, in King Henr^ Fill :
*' If you will now unite in your compIaintSj
" And /orcf them wi th a cou ilancy — / ' M a t o N f .
* N$r hy ibf matter 'whkh jamr ht4iti frttm^ttjQU to,] [Old copy
^^ptnmpis;^^^^ Perhaps J the meaning is, which your lieart prompts
you /a. We have fnany fuch eUJptical cxprcflions in ihefc plaj$«
Ice VoL XI* p* iSji n- %* So, in Julmt C^/ar:
" Thy honourable metal may be wrought
" From what it is difpos^d ['(^]/'
But I rather believe, th*t our author has adopted tbe language of
the theatre, and that the meaning is, which your heart fuggefli
Ij you ; which your heart fumiChes you with, as a prompter fur-
nifhcs the player with the words that have cfcaped his memory. So
afterwards ; *[ Come, come, we'll fn^mpi jm," The editor of
the fi^cond folio, who was entirely unacquainted withovir aurhor*i
peculiarities, reads — prompts you t&, and fo alJ the fubrcc|ucat
cn|i?e& reiitU Malone.
I am contcfit to follow the fecond folio | though pcrhapi «%
ought to read :
iVor fy the moilrr m^hkh y^ttr hemt p^mftt IxkjQtiw
So, in a Sermem pnmhed at Sh P^ui't Crnfft ^c. 1 589 : *' — for
often ineditatyon/mJw//^/j& in us goode thoughtes^ begettyng theroii
goode workes,*' ht^
Wthoiit fcrac addidonal fyllable the verfc it dcfedivc.
^ bfifiiirdi^ andj^lkhlts
Of m Allowance, t& jtmr hfimt irmik} I fctd; •* ^f m alli-
ance ; ' therefore hajlardi. Yet ^lUtmiumt may well enough fljindt
a£ meaning hgal right ^ ffiahiijhtd rank^ or Jeiiki authnif^
JoMNftOH«
Miit^oMit ti certainly right. So, in OiMh^ Ad XL k* i :
** ht£ pilot
•* Of very expert and aj?prov'J aI/tn*mMU***
7
I
C O R I O L A N U S,
^39
l»JaWj this no more difhonours you at all.
Than to take in a town* with gentle Words^
Which elfe would put you to your fortune, and
The hazard of much blood. —
I svould difiemble with my nature, where
My fortunes, and my friends, at ftakc, required,
lI ftiould do fo in honour ; 1 am in this,
""our wife, your fon, thefe fenators, the nobles j
tnd you * will rather ihow our general Jowts*
tow you can frown, than fpend a fawn upon thcm^
For the inheritance of their loves^ and fafeguard
Of what that want ^ might ruin.
Thm Johnfon's amentJment, however, is counrcnanccd by ^n ex-
"on in The Tamiftg afa S^rnp, where Petruchio's ftirfups arc
I to be *' of rtQ kind red J' St I E v E K s.
i 3tt firft wai pleafed with Dr. Johnfon's propofcd emend ationp
bectofe ** of no allowaiKc, i, e. approbation, to your bofom*!
tttii1i»*' appeared to me unintelligible. Bwt ^llo^jjance has no con-
ffie^on with the fubfequcnt words, ** to your bofom's truth*"
'^ C cooftnidion is — though but baftards to your bofom'* truth,
the Um^/Ml tfitt of jmr hearty The words^ " and fyHablesof no
lllo«t«iice**' are put in oppofiiion with hnflards^ and are as it were
|iarcothedc aL M a l o n e .
* Thfm t9 t^ke in 4 imum — ] To fubdue or dcftroy. Sec p. 16,
9, Ma LOWE*
J / am in ihh,
T^r fwifi^ ymr font ihffi fmsHn^ the mhlrs ;
And nu kcA Volumnia is perfnading Coriolamts that he
ht to'fiaticr the people, ai the general fortune u-^is at ftake;
fays, that in this advice, fhe fpeaks as his wife, as his fon ;
ji^ the fcnate and body of the patricians ; wbo wetc In foine meafute
J linic'd to his conduft . W a K b ir r to n.
1 riiher think the meaning is, 1 41m lu ihtir condition, I am at
Jj^^j together vnxkjmr nk^ifi^ jmr /ofu J oh k&o .v,
/ am m dh^ nieans» I am in this predicament* M. Mason*
1 think the meaning is, //t this advice, in exhorting yon to a^
r riiot* I fpeak not only a» yonr mother, but as your wife^ your
CoB» frc, all of whom arc #?i/(fi«*i Ma lone,
■* — — mr grttemi l^jaH — ] Our cnmm^n tktvm^ JoHwson,
* ..^^-^ibat want—] The w^Jir; of their loves, JoHSsok.
owl
and
J40
CORIOLANU&
Men, Noble lady ! —
Comcj go with us ; fpcak fair : you may falve (6,
Not what* is dangerous prcfent, but the lofs
Of what is paft.
Fql* I j}r*ythce now, my fon.
Go to them, with this boanet in thy hand t ^
And thus far having ftretch'd it, (here be with
themj
Thy knee bufTing the ftones, (for in fuch bufincfs
Adion is eloquence, and the eyes of the ignorant
More learned than the ears J waving thy head.
Which often, thus, correfting thy ftout heart/
• Not 'wBfft - "3 In this place nst fecms to fignify >t^f s»fy*
' ijui/b this lonf^fi hi thy hand^] Surely our author wrote —
with ih^ bonnet in iby band ; for I cannot fuppofe that He iniendlai
that Volamnia Ihould either touch or take o^ the bonnet which he
has gi V en to C or iolan U5< Malum,
When Volurania fays — " ihh bonnet* " fhe may be fnppofed to
f^ini at it, without any attempt to touch it, or take it o£
Stievek*.
* fwa^'mg ihj head.
Which ^ktji^ thus, comilmg ihj ^mt htsri^ But do any of
the ancient or modern inaftcrs of elocution prefcribc the li^mving
ihf hrad^ when they treat of a^on ? Or how docs the waving the
head correft the ftoutncfs of the heart, or evidence humility I Or,
aftly^ where is the fenfe or grammar of tbefc words, Whkh B/tnt,
ihas, SiC ? Thefe queHions are ftifficient to fhow that the Unci mre
corrupt- 1 would read therefore:
, fwa^itrg thjf band.
Which f often ihm^ correct ffg ihjflQui heart ^
This if a very proper precept of a A on fuiting the occafiDn;
Wave thy hand, fays {he, and foften the aftion of it thus, — thco
hrike upon thy breafl, and by that aftion fhow ihe peopk thou
bafl corredled thy Hout heart. All here h fine and proper*
W*KBUIlTOIf.
Tb€ cof region h ingentons, yet I think it not riglu, Hrmd or
h^iid is indifferent. 7 "he hatid is ^vtFved to gmn attention i the hrmi
is Hiakcn in token of forrow. The word '.v^^v fuits lictter m
the hind, bui in conftdcring ihc authoi'i k^iguagc, too mich iitzU
CORIOLANUS.
141
Now humble^ as the ripeft mulberry ,'*
That will not hold the handling; Or, fay to them.
I
moll net be laid on propriety, agabd ihc eopics, I would read
chttf :
* tWiFvitg thy htadf
With uftert^ rhuff c^rr filing ihy JI$Mt heart.
That is, fittkiffg thy htad^ and flrikmt thy brcaft, The ahf ra«
lioo 14 flight f and the gcflurc recommended not improper.
jOMKSOtI,
Shakfpeare ufcs the fame exprcHion in Hamht :
" And rhrice his hemi nva^mg ihus> up and down."
I have fometimes thought that this paOage might originally have
flood ciius :
waving thy head,
(Which hxm&k thus;) cofreding thy flout he*irt,
Now Jofttni as the ripeft mulberry. T y r wh i tt.
As there b no verb in this pafFage as it ftands, fome amendment
muit be made, to make it intelligible ; and that which I now pro-
pofe, 11 to read hmxs inllcad of wnt?, which is clearly the right
reading* M- Maion-
I am pcrfuaded thefe lines are printed exactly as the author wrote
ieio« a fimilar kind of phrafcology being found in his other
|4ajs. Which, 6cc, k the abfolute cafe, and i^ tn be underftood
as if he had written^/i often, &c. So, in The Wiftttr'i T&k:
" — This your fon- in-law*
** And fon unto the king, I'whsm heSiVtns dircdUog,)
*' Is troth-plight 10 your daughter.*'
^;aio, in Kixg Jehft :
** he that wins of all,
'* Of kings, and beggars, old men, young men, miidt,^
•* ^Wha having no external thing to lofe
" But the word maid, — cheats the poor maid of that."
In the former of ihcfe paflfages, •' ^s^h^m heavens dire^in?/' Is
to be undertlood as if Shakfpeare had written, him heavena dire^-
ing ; [ilium dtii dutentt ;) and in the latter, •* *wh^ having** has ihc'
import of Thty having. Nihil quod amintTt p^ffint, pr^itr mmm
^rrgffii, p£identihMs, Sec Vol. VIIL p. 66, n. 4,
^rhii mode of fpeech, though not fuch as we ihould now ivfc,
having been ufed by Shakfpcare, any cmcndauon of this contefted
.|Mite becomes unnecefrary. Nor is this kind of phrafcology
peculiar to our author : for in R* Ratgnold's Lt^-ti ^f oil tht Bnf-
^^*$ >i7 '1 ^^^* $*^- I fi^^ i^^ fitticconliruttioa : *' — as Poa^
14a C O R I O L A N U S.
Thou art their foldier, and being bred in broils,
Haft not the foft way/ which, thou dolt confcfs*
»ey wa* pafllng in a fmall boatc toward the Oioarc* to fyndt rbe
tytige Ptolcmcyj be was by his com maun dement flay tie, before he
came 10 land, of Septimius and Achilla, iwJ^ J^jfiftg by killing of
tim to pnrchafc the frkadfhip of Cacfar. — Who now bctog come
unto the fboarc, and entering Alexandria, bad fodably i^rcfentcd
unto him the head of Pompcy the Great," &c.
Againj in The Continuation of Hardy ng's ChromtUt 'f-fj*
Si gnat, M m* ij- " And now was the kyng wltloin twoo daie*
journey of Salilhury, when the duke attenrrpteJ to mete him, nA)hkht
duke ^cjATF accompairnied with great tlrcngth of Wclfhemen,
whom he nad enforced thcrcunio, and coherted more by lordly
commaundment than by Iil>eral wages and hire : whichc ibyng was
In dcedc the caufc that thei fell from hyra ^nA forfokc him. Where-
fore he," &c* See alfo VoL VIL p. 204» n-2.
Mr- M. Mafon fiiy^» that there is no verb in the fentcnce, and
therefore it muft be corrupt. The \erb is ^^3, and the fcntcnce,
nor more abrupt than many others in thcTe plays. Go 10 the people^
fays Volumnia, and appear before them in a fupplicating atdtude,
—with thy bonnet in thy band> thy knees on the ground, (for in
fuch cafea aftion is eloquence, Arc.) waving thy head j j/, by m
frequent bendings, [fuch as thofe that I now make,) ftibduing ihy
Hout heaft, which now IhouM be as humble as the tipcfl mulberry ;
pr, if thefc fdent gcitures of f application do not move them, add
wordsp and fay to them, &c.
Wtoo'^cr has feen a player fupplicating to be heard by the
audSencc, when a tumult, for whatever caufe, ha& arifcn m a
theatre, will perfcdly feel the force of the words — " waving thy
No emendation whatever appctrs to me to be neccfltry in thcfd
lii>csp Maloke*
All I fhall obferve refpc^ing the validity of the Inftances adduced
by Mr, Mai one in fupport of his pofitlon, is, that as ancient prds«
work fcldom rcceivea any corredion, the errors of one printer may
frequently fervc to countenance thofe of another, without affording
any leg i ti ma t c decifion in mat te rs o f ph rafeo \ ogy , S t e e v e n s .
V ^ humhle,as il^ ripfjl muihfny\\ This fruit, whcQ cho*
roughly ripe, drops from the tree, Steevbws.
-^fchylys (as appears from a fragment of his *PTriS i £1£*
TOPOS ATTPA. prefer vTcd by Athcna:ui, lib. ti*) fiiys pf Bddm
.that be was foftcr than mtlherrki.
I
CORIOLANUSv
t4>J
Were fit for thee to ufe, as they to claim,
In alking their good loves j but thou wilt frame * ;
Thyfclf, forfooth, hereafter theirs, lb far
As thou haft power, and pcrfon.
Men. This but done.
Even as Ihc fpcaks^ why, all their hearts were
yours : *
For they have pardonsj being aik'd, as free
As words to little purpofe.
Vol. Pr'ythee now,
Go, and be rul*d : although, I know, thou had*ft
rather
Follow thine enemy in a fiery gulf,*
Than flatter him in a bower.* Here is Cominius.
Enter Cominius*
Com. I have been i' the marketplace: and, fir,
'tis fit
mnd being hrtd m tmk^
Hafi mt the fofi a(/^,] So, jti Oibtlk (folio J fijj J :
*• Rude am I in my fpeccb, i,
** And litrlc bkfs'tl with the /^jt phrafe of pcaacj..
*' ^nd Jtiiie of ihb great woila can I fpeak,
" More ilaaii pertains to feats of hroih and balilei/^
Malohi.
* B^y^ stfit/pi^h^ i^hjf all thtit hemu ^were^mtn:^ Thcwarf
fi// was fupplied by SirThomasi Hanmer eq remedy the apparent dc-
fe£k in this line, I am not fiire, however, that wc might not better
lead^ as Mr. Ritfon propofcs :
Emm mfiie/ptah ic, njtihy thctr hearti nvfrfj$ttri*
^'^ if\ a fi^fy Fvif,] ht, mf9. So, mKmg Rkhard HI :
'* But firft, 1*11 mm yon fellow w his grave/' STtEviNt.
J Ths^ JIfUtfr him in a bower.] A h'wrr is the ancient term for
a ehttmhin So Spenfer, Prothalam. ft, 8, fpeaklng of ^eTempU :
•* Where now the lludious lawyers have their hwen/'
^ec alio Chaucer &c. pafllm^ Sr i e v £ ?ri.
144: C O R I O L A N US.
You make ftrong parcy> or defend yourfetf
Bj calmnefs, or by abfence; all's in anger.
Men. Only fair fpeech.
Com. I think, 'twill fcrvc, if he
Can thereto frame his fpirit.
f^OL. He mud, and will :—
Pr'ythee, now, fay^ you will, and go about it*
Coji. Mull I go fhow them my unbarb'd fconcc ? *
Mufti
With my bafe tongue, give to my noble heart
A lie, that it muft bear? Well, I will do't:
* mjf unbirb'd fcmre?] The fappllants of the people uW
fo prcfent themfelvcs to them in fordid and negleded drcffcs,
JoHNSOIf^
Unhathed^ bare, oncover'd. In the times of cKivalrj^ wbcn
a horfe was fully armed and accoutred for the encounter, he wn
faid ro be harbfd\ probably from the old word barhe which Chau*
ctr ufes for a veil or covcrmg. Hawki ns,
Unharhtd/€mt€ \% uiftrimm'd or uftflrt^ufx h€&d* To hark a HUAf
Wai to IhavC hiro« So^ in Prvm^j and Cfijhttdrft I 578 ^
*• Grim, you arc fo clean a young man.
*• i^^w. And who iar^i-/ youj Grimball?
" Grim^ A dapper knave, one Rofco,
** R&w. I know him not, is he a deaft harhfr ^"
To hathf the field was to cut the com* So» in Dra3^on's JWf-
elSm^ Song X III:
*' The la bring hunter tufts the thick utf barbed grounds/*
Again, in The Maic&Mieftt^ by Marfton :
*' The looping fcytbeman that doth barbe the field/'
But (fays Dean MiTles^ in his comment on The P/ruda-Ra^x^U^t
p, 215.) '* would that appearance [of being arr/ha^'ed} hare been
particular at Rome in tne time of Coriolanns I" Every onCj but
the Dean, underlland» that Shakfpeare gives to all coanuiei the
fafhions of his own*
Ufibarbed may, howeverj bear the fignification which the late
Mn Hawkins would affix to it. So, in Magftijkefice, an interltidt
by Skekon, Famj fpeaking of a hmdfd kij^wk^ fays;
*< Sarbjd^Q a nonnc, for bumynge of the fonne/*
3T££¥&1t»»
C O R I O L A N U $• 145
Yet were there but this fingle plot ^ to lofe.
This mould of Marcius, they to dull fhould grind
it.
And throw it againfl: the wind. — To the market-
place : —
You have put me now to fuch a part, which never*
I ihall difcharge to the life.
Com. Come, come, we'll prompt you.
FoL. I pr'ythee now, fweet fon ; as thou haft
faid.
My praifes made thee firft a foldier, fo.
To have my praife for this, perform a part
Thou haft not done before.^
s fifi^ plot — ] i. c. piece, portion ; applied to a piece of
cmliy and bere degtntly tnmsferr^ to the body, carcafe.
Warburton.
• ■ fach a fart, which never &c.] So, in Kin^ Henrj VL
P. m. Vol. X. p. 205 :
«« — he woold avoid fuch bitter taunts
«* Which in the time of death he gave our father."
Again, in the pident fcene :
«« fiot ynAifuch words that are but roted,'^ &c.
Again, in Ad V. fc. iv :
«* the benefit
*• Which thou (halt thereby reap, \%fuch a name,
«« Whofe repetition will be dogg'd with curfcs.*'
L e« the repetition of which— .
Again, m Ad V. fc. iii :
•* — no, not with fuch friends,
•• That thought them fure of you."
This phrafeology was introduced bv Shakfpeare in the firft of
thefe poflages, for the old play on which the third part of King
Hemn ^h was founded, reads — As in the time of death. The
wora as has been fubftituced for nuhich by the modern editors in
the paflage before us. Ma lone*
^ perform a fart
ThcM baft mi done hefore.'X Our author is ftill thinking of his
dieatse. Cominic^ has juft laid. Come, come, we'll prompt you.
Malons.
Vol, XII. L
14^ C O R I O L A N U S.
Cor. Well, I muft do»ti
Away» my difpofition> and poflefs mc
Some harlot^s fpirit ! My throat of war be turn'd.
Which quired with my druni>* into a pipe
Small as an eunuch, or the virgin voice |
That babies lulls afleep 1 The Imiles of knaves
Tent ill my cheeks ; ^ and fchoolboys* tears take up
The glaffes of my fight ! A beggar*s tongue
Make motion through my lips ; and my arm^d
knecs>
Who bow'd but in my ftirrop, bend like his
That hath receiVd an alms ! — ^I will not do't :
Left I furceafe to honour mine own truth/
And, by my body's adion, teach my mind
A moft inherent bafenefs-
FoL. At thy choice then ;
To beg of thee> it is my more dilhonour,
Than thou of them. Come all to ruin ; let
Thy mother rather feci thy pride, than fear
Thy dangerous ftoutnefa ; * for I mock at death
With as big heart as thou. Do as thou lift*
Thy valianrnefs was mine, thou fuck'dft it from meg
But owe * thy pride thyfelf.
• ^h'd ^uireti li/ifB mj druMf] Wiich ^iajfd hg C^tiH with mf
drum* JoHBJioN.
So, in The Mrrchant cf Venkt S
" Stiil qmrimg to the young-cy'd chcrubins," SrEiiriirs,
^ Teuthi my ckfthi] To imi h /o raJtt w/ refidmcu Joumsqii.
* /£> honmr mine o/wn trutk^ ]
Umtn ii piU^r' mirx^u riM^vf «
Pythagoias. JoHKion,
Tfy motker rafhtr fie! thy fride^ ih&rt ftar
Thj d^/Tgrrout fi^uhtefs ; j This is obfcurc. Perhaps, {he meanf,
C<f, iQ thy nv^rfi \ ht me t^thtr fttl the Utmoft fXtremitj that rky
ffiic cm Irmg upm iw, ihsm livf tkui m fi&r of tfy dsttgtnm chfii-
ftaej, Johnson.
4 ^^^g/u^e^^l u Ct own. Keid,
CO R I O L A N U S. Ht
Cot* Pray, be content ;
Mother, I am going to the market-place ;
Chide me no more. Til mountebank their loves,
Cog their hearts from them^ and come home belov'd
Of all the trades in Rome. Look, I am going:
Commend me to my wife. I'll return conful;
Or never truft to what my tongue can do
I* the way of flattery, further,
K0£, Do your will, [ExiL
CoM^ Away, the tribunes do attend you : arm
yourfclf
To anfwcr mildly ; for they are prepared
With accufations, as I hear, more ftrong
Than are upon you yet.
Cor. The word is, mildly : — Pray you, let us go:
Let them accufe me by invention, I
Will anfwer in mine honour.
Men* Ay, but mildly.
CoM. Well, mildly belt then; mildly. [ExemL
SCENE III.
Tbe fame. 7be Forum,
£ff/tfr SreiNius and Brutus.
^jto. In this point charge him home, that he
afFeils
Tyrannical power: If he evade us there,
So# in Maiheth :
•• To throw away- the deareft thing he stmi^
" At HwTrc a carelefs mfle/' Stii vini*
L 2
148 CORIOLANUS.
Enforce him with his envy ' to the people ;
And that the fpoil, got on the Antiates,
Was ne'er diftributed. —
Enter an iEdile.
What, will he come ?
^D. He's coming.
Sru. How accompanied ?
j^D. With old Menenius, and thofe fenators
That always favour'd him.
Sic. Have you a catalogue
Of all the voices that we have procured.
Set down by the poll ?
jEd. I have ; *tis ready, here.^
Sic. Have you colledled them by tribes ?
jEd. I have.
*$"/(:. Aflcmble prefently the people hither :
And when they hear me fay, Itjhall befo
r the right andjlrength o* the commons^ be it either
For death, for fine, or banifhment, then let them.
If I fay, fine, cry fine i if death, cry death i
Infilling on the old prerogative
And power i' the truth o* the caufe.*
' (*ny — ] 1. 1. malice, hatred. So, in King Henry Fill :
** no black etivj
** Shall make my grave."
See Vol. XI. p. 6 r, n. 9. Stefvf.ns.
^ *tis ready, here.] The word — here, which is wanring in
the old copies, was fupphcdby Sir Thomas Hanmer. Stebvens.
^ i* the truth 0* the catf/c,^ Tins is not very eaiily ondcr-
ftood. We might read :
o'er the truth 0' the cauje. John SON.
As I cannot undcrfland this pailagc as it is pointed, I fhoold
fuppofe that the fpceches ihould be thus divided, and then it will
require no explanation.
CO R I O L A N U S. 149
^D. I fhall inform them.
Bru. And when fuch time they have begun to
cry,
Let them not ceafe, but with a din confus'd
Enforce the prefent execution
Of what we chance to fentence.
^D. Very well.
Sic. Make them be ftrong, and ready for this
hint.
When we (hall hap to give't them.
Bru. Go about it.—
[Exif ifldile.
Put him to choler ftraight : He hath been us'd
Ever to conquer, and to have his worth
Of contradidion : ^* Being once chaf'd, he cannot
Be rein'd again to temperance ; '^ then he fpeaks
What's in his heart ; and that is there, which looks
With us to break his neck.*
Sic, Infixing on the old prerogative
And power.
JEd, In the truth of the caqfe
I (hall inform them.
That is^ I will explain the matter to them fally. M« Masoit*
* and to han;e his worth
Of cQtttradiSion :'] The modern editors fubftitutcd liordi boC
the old copy reads ivorth, which is certainly right. He has been
ufed to have his ivortb^ or (as we (hould now fay) his ftmiynuortb
of contradidion ; his full quota or proportion. So, in Romeo and
Juliet:
** — You idkt yoMi pennjiAjorth [of flcep] now.'*
Malone.
' Be rein d again to temperance ;] Our poet feems to have taken
iisYcral of his images from the old pageants. In the new editicm
of Ldand's Collect anf a. Vol. IV. p. 190, the virtue /^xv/^r^/rr/ is
leprdented " holding in hyr haund a bitt of an horfe," Tolljet.
Mr. Toilet might have added, that both in painting and fculp-
tare the bit is the eftabliihcd fymbol of this virtue. Henley.
• swbicb looks
With us to break his necLI To foA is to <wait or cxfe^. The
L 3
150
COR
I O L A N U S.
Enter Coriolanus, Menenius, Cominios, Sena-
tors, and Patricians.
Sic* Well, here he comes.
Men. Calmly, I do befecch youT
Cor. Ay, as an ofller> that for the poortft piece
Will bear the knaveby the volume.' — The honoured
gods
Keep Rome in fafety, and the chairs of jufticc
Supply'd with worthy men ! plant love among us!
Throng our large temples with the fliows of peace.
And not our ftrcets with war I *
feofe I brlicve h. What hi hri in hh hrart ia waiting there I& htif
The tribune raiher fcems to nican-^The feiitiinetits of Coriola*
tjus's heart arc our coadjutor<i, and look to have their (hare in pro*
motin^ hi:i deftm fl ion* Steevens,
^ Wiii hear tht kna*vi hj the q-'^aw^-,] u e, wotild bear being
called a knave as often as would fill out a volume. St e cvehs*
* <p plant /jav among m !
Throng ^ur large ttmphs nAfifh the Jhorwi i^f p^a^t^
And mtmrfirtriM wth *w;efr/] [The old cop)^ — Tifmgh*\
We fhoold read :
Throng sar iarj^f iemtiti
The other ia rank nonfcnfe, Warbijiton.
The emendation was made by Mr, Theobald.
The/i^jiTJ of peact arc multitudes of people peaceably alfembled,
cither to hear the determination of caufcs^ or for other purpoje» of
civ i I go vcrnroen t, M a L o n i ,
The real fi€i^$ of peait among the Romans, were the olive-
branch and the caduceus ; but I queftion if our author^ on the pre*
lent occasion, had ajiy determinate idea annexed to hit words. Mr,
Malone's fuppofiiion, however^ can hardly be right ; bccaufe the
*' temples" (i* e. thofe of the goda») were never ufed for the de-
termination of civil caufes, ^c. To fuch pnrpofes die Senate and
the Fornm were appropriated- The umflei indeed might be thronged
with people who met to thank the god* for a return of peace.
^T£EVEKt«
C O R I O L A N U S. 151
r. Sen* Amen^ amen!
Men. a noble wifh.
Re-^nter iEdile^ with Citizens.
Sic. Draw near, ye people.
jEd. Lift to your tribunes 1 audience : Peace, I
fay.
Cor. Firft, hear me fpeak.
Both Tru Well, fay. — Peace, ho.*
Cor. Shall I bp charg'd no further than this pre-
fent?
Muft all determine here ?
Sic. I do demand.
If you fubmit you to the people's voices.
Allow their officers, and are content
To fuflfer lawful cenfure for fuch faults
As (hall be proved upon you ?
Cor. * I am content.
MeNp Lo, citizens, he fays, he is content $
The warlike fervice he has done, confider ;
Think on the wounds his body bears, which fliow
Like graves i* the holy churchyard.
Cor. Scratches with briars.
Scars to move laughter only.
Men. Confider further.
That when he fpcaks not like a citizen.
You find him like a foldier : Do not take
His rougher accents ^ for malicious founds,
* Well^/aj. — Peace ^ bo,"] As the metre is here defeftive, wc
flHgfat foppofe our author to have written :
Well, ^r; fay «»• — Peace, ho. Steevbns.
' ^ Hit rmgher accents -— — ] The old copy reads — anions. Mr.
Theobald made the change. Stebvjins. >
- iiis looghet acunts are the harih term that he tifet. Malonb.
L 4
152 C O R I O L A N'U S.
But^ as I fay, fuch as become a foldier>
Rather than envy you/
Com. Well, well, no more.
Cor. What is the matter.
That being pafs'd for conful with full voice,
I am fo diflionour'd, that the very hour
You take it off again ?
Sic. Anfwer to us.
Cor. Say then : 'tis true, I ought fo.
Sic. We charge you, that you have contrived to
take
From Rome all feafon'd office,^ and to wind
Yourfelf into a power tyrannical ;
For which, you are a traitor to the people.
Cor. How! Traitor?
Men. Nay; temperately: Yourpromifc.
Cor. The fires i* the lowed hell fold in the peo-
ple!
Call me their traitor! — Thou injurious tribune!
Within thine eyes fat twenty thoufand deaths.
In thy hands clutch'd ^ as many millions, in
^ Rather than tnwy J ou,^ Etrvy is here taken at large for ••*
lignity or ill intention. Johnson.
According to the conftruftion of the fentence, e9rvj is CFideody
ufcd as a vero, and iignifies to injure. In diis fenfe it is qfed bjr Jo-
lietta in T'i^^ P//^r/Vw .•
" Iflnaakealic
" To gain your love, and envy my bcft miftrefs,
** Pin me up againft a wall/' Sec M« Mason*
Rather than envy you.^ Rather than import ill will to you. Set
p. 147, n. — ; and Vol, XL p. 61, n. 9. Malone.
^ feajond office, '\ All office eftablijbed and Jetiitd by tim?,
and made familia r to the people by long ufe. Johnson.
* clutch' d ] i. e. grafp'd. So Macbeth, in his ad<«
drcfft to the •• air-drawn dagger :"
** Come, let me r/«/ri& thee.*' Stesvsns.
CORIOLANUS. J53
Thy lying tongue both numbers, I would fay.
Thou lieft, unto thee, with a voice as free
As I do pray the gods.
Sic. Mark you this, people ?
Cjt. To the rock with him; to the rock with
himi'
Sjc. Peace.
We need not put new matter to his charge :
What you have feen him do, and heard him fpeak.
Beating your officers, curiing yourfeives,
Oppoling laws with ftrokes, and here defying
Thofe whofe great power muft try him ; even this.
So criminal, and in fuch capital kind,
Deferves the extremeft death.
Bru. But fince he hath
Serv*d well for Rome, —
Cor. What do you prate of fervice?
Bru. I talk of that, that know it.
Cor. You ?
Men. Is this
The promife that you made your mother ?
Com. Know,
I pray you, —
Cor. ril know no further :
Let them pronounce the fteep Tarpeian death.
Vagabond exile, flaying; Pent to linger
But with a grain a day, I would not buy
Their mercy at the price of one fair word ;
Nor check my courage for what they can give,
1 To the nek &c.] The firft folio reads :
To th* rock, to tb' rock luith him^^^
The iecond only :
To tb* rock ivitb bim.
The picfent reading is therefore formed oat of the two copies.
Stbsv£ns«
C O R r O L A N U S.
To havc't with faying, Good morrow.
Sic. For that he has
(As much as in him lies) from time to time
Envy'd again fl: the people,* feeking means
To pluck away their power ; as now at laft *
Given hoftile ftrokes, and that not in the prefcncc*
Of dreaded juftice, but on the miniftcrs
That do dillribute it; In the name o* the people.
And in the power of us the tribunes, we,
Even from this inftajit, banifli him our city;
In peril of precipitation
From off the rock Tarpeian, never more
To enter our Rome gates : V the people's name,
I fay, it fhall befo.
On It fhall be fo,
It fhall be fo ; let him away : he's banifh'dj
And fo it Ihall be,*
Com. Hear me, my maflers, and my common
friends i —
Sic. He'sfentenc'd:
Com*
no more hearing,
X-et me fpcak :
* £irvj' V igainft ike /w//r,] It e> behaved with figns of hMfed
to ihe people- Stievjns,
6 ^^_ as «(ni? isi hft — ] Read rather .
- has nonjis at iaj^, JoHNSON,
1 am not certain but that as in this inftance^ has the power of
m 'wfiiat. The fame mode of exprcffion I have met with among
our ancient writers. Steevens»
■? not in the fnpnu — ] A*/ ftands again for jw/ onfy*
JoH^50»*
It \% th«$ ofed in Thr Nmv T^flament, i ThcfT. iv. 8 :
'^ He iheieforc that defpifcth, defpifeth mt man but God," Stu
Steeven$.
^ Ami fa a pdl hf.l Oldcopj, unmctiicallj — Ami H JhaH if fi.
CORIOLANUS.
>sr
I
I
I
I have been conful, and can fhow from Rome^'
Her enemies* niarks upon me. I do love
My country's good, with a refpe<fl more tender.
More holy, and pro founds than mine own life.
My dear wife's eftimate/ her womb's increafe.
And trcafure of my loins : then if I would
Speak that —
Sic. We know your drift : Speak what?
Bru* There's no more to be faid, but he is ba**
nifh'd»
As enemy to the people, and his country :
It ftall be fo.
C/T. It {hall be fo, it fhall be fo.
Com* You common cry of curs ! * whofe breath
I hate
As reek o' the rotten fens, whofe loves I priw
As the dead carcafles of unburied men
br
9 .^ —J^^tntt from R&m,] Read — *^ ihow/&r Rome/'
M, Mason*
He cither means, thar his woaitdi were got <f^i of Rome, in rhc
caufc of his country', or that they mediately were derived from
Rome, by his t^Ung in cotiformitj ro the orders of the llate* Mr.
Theoliald reads^-^r Rome ; and fijpport* h J5 emendation by thcfe
pailkgcs:
** To baniih him that ftruck more blows /er Rome/* &c.
*' Good roan I the wounds that he docs bearer Romc/'^
Ma LONE.
* A^ dear 'wifrt ^pmait^ I Jove my country beyond the rate
ftl whldl I iwj/a^ my dear nift/f^ JoH nsok,
* Tmi mmmsn cry of cun /] Cty herc figoitiei a iro&^ or /tffif#
Soj in M fubfcqucnt fcenc in this play :
" Yon have made gooi worls,
** Yon and your €tyJ*
Agmn, in The yW N<t&£t JCm/mrrt, by Shakfpeare and Fletcher^
" I eoold have kept a hawk, and weU have hollaed
" To a deep frjf of dogs." Maloke,
156 C O R I O L A N U S.
That do corrupt my air, I banifh you ; *
And here remain with your uncertainty !
Let every feeble rumour (hake your hearts !
Your enemies, with nodding of their plumes^
Fan you into defpair ! Have the power ftill
To banilh your defenders ; till, at length.
Your ignorance, (which finds not, till it feels/)
Making not refervation of yourfelves;
(Still your own foes,) deliver you, as moft
^ lhamJhyou\\ So, inhyly^sJuatomyo/fFit, 1580; ♦• WhcB
it was call in Dioeenes' teeth that the SinopcDetes had hofti/^d him
Ponrus, yea, faiahe, 1 them.^*
Our poet has again the fame thought in Kini Richard II:
** Think not, the king did oanilh thee,
** But thou the king." Ma lone.
5 . Ha^e the ponjjer ftill
T9 hanijhyour defenders ; ////, at length.
Tour ignorance, (which finds not^ till it feels, &c.] StiU retam
the foiver of hanijhing your defenders, till your undifceming folly ^
nvhich canforefee no confequences, leave none in the city but ymtrfthm^
*who are airways labouring your o^jju deft ruSi ion*
It is remancable, that, among the political maxims of the ipe>
culative Harrington, there is one which he might have borrowed
from this fpcech. The people, favs he, cannot fee, but they cam feeL
It is not much ro the honour of the people, that diey have the laine
charafter of ftupidity from their enemy and their friend. Sudi
was the power of our author's mind, that he looked through life ill
all its relations private and civiL Johnson.
•• The people, (to ufe the comment of my friend Dr. Kcarnejr,
in his ingenious Lectures on History, quarto, 1776,) cannot
nicely fci utinife errors in government, but they are roufed by galling
oppieflion.'' — Coriolanus, however, means to fpeak ftill more con-
tcmptuoufly of their judgment. Your ignorance isfuch, thatjrpu
cannot fee the mifchiefs likely to refult from your adlions, tillyoo
attunlly experience the ill etieds of them. — Inftead, however, of
•• Making but refervation of yourfelves," which is the reading of
the old copy, and which Dr. J ohnfon very rightlv explains, leavii^
none in the city but yourfel'vts, I have no douDt that wc (hould read,
;is I have printed, •« Making not refervation of yourfelves," which
agrees with the fubfequcnt words — *• ftill your own foes,*' and
with the general purport of the fpcech ; which is, to fliow that the
f )lly of the people was fuch as was likely to deftroy the whole of
the republkk without any refervation, uh §nly' others, bm tvem
CORIOLANUS.
iS7
Abated captives/ to fome nation
That won you without blows ! Defpifing,'
For you, the city, thus I turn my back :
There is a world elfewhere.
[Exeunt Coriolanus, Cominius, Menenius,
Senators, and Patricians.
^D. The people's enemy is gone, is gone !
C/r. Our enemy 's banifh'd ! he is gone ! Hoo !
hoo!
\Tbe people Jhotitf and throw up their caps.
Sic. Go, fee him out at gates, and follow him.
As he hath followed you, with all defpite;
Give him deferv'd vexation. Let a guard
Attend us through the city.
Cir. Come, come, let us fee him out at gates ;
come : —
The gods prcferve our noble tribunes ! — Come.
[^Exeunt.
themjehves^ and to fubjugate them as abated captives to fome hoflile
nadoD. If, according to the old copy, the people have the pru-
dence to make refervation of themfelves, while they are deftroyiog
their country, they cannot with any propriety be faid to be in that
refpefl *•>?/// their oiun foes,** Thefc words therefore dccillvely
fapport the emendation now made.
How often hut and not have been confounded in thefc plays, has
already been frequently obferved. In this very play hut has been
winced, in a former fcene, inftead of not^ and the latter word fub-
ncnted in all the modem editions. See p. 97, n. 8* Malonb*
Mr. Capell reads ;
«• Making not refervation of your fcl ves." S t e^ v e n s.
* Abated €aptiijes^ Abated is dejedcd, fuMued, deprcfTcd in
fpirit* So, in Cra/us, 1 604, by Lord Sterline :
'« To advance the humble, and abate the proud."
J. c Parcere fuhjeSis^ et dcbcllare/«^r^w. Abatai has the fame
power as the French ahattu. Sec Vol. VI. p. 232, n. 9.
Steevens.
7 Dtf fifing^ As this line is imperfeft, perhaps our author ori-
ginally gave it—
Def fifing therefore,
Forjom, thecity^ &C. Steevens.
tit
C O R I O L A N U S.
A C T IV. SCENE I.
The fame. Before a Gate of ibe City*
Enier CoRtoiANvs^VotvMNiA, Virgilia> Mene-
N I u s^ Co M I N 1 0 s, and fever al young Patricians^
Cor* Come, leave your tears i a brief fere well :—
the beaft
With many heads butts me away. — Nay, mother^
Where is your ancient courage? you were us*d
To fay^ extremity was the trier of fpirita ;
That common chances common men could bear;
That, when the fea was calm* all boats alike
Show'd maftcrlbip in floating: ^ fortune's blows^
When moft ft ruck home, being gentle wounded,
craves
A noble cunning: ^ you were us*d to load me
* you fwerte m'd
To Jay J fXfrfmitywm tht triernf fpiriu%
That common chau€n tsmmm men amid 6 far ;
Thai^ nvbtn the ft a *iva$ cairn ^ ati h&aU alikf
ShQ^\^*dmqfierfii^mfmtmg:\ Thus the fccond foEa* The
fiiil reads:
** To fay, extreami/f^/ ^ai the trier of fpirits/*
Extrrmity, in the finguUr number, is ufed by our author in The
Merry Wi<uts cf Windfir^ ^be Comedy nf Errors, Tror/iu and Cref*
jida^ ice.
The general thought of this paflagc hai already occurred in fm-
im Mnd Cre0da, See Vol* XL p. 145 :
** ^-^ In the reproof oi chance
'* lies the true proof of men ; The fea being fniooths.
*• How many ihallow bauble boats dare fail
" Upon her patient breaii, making their way
*t ^iti^ thofe of nobkr bulk V* bTgiviNS*
CORIOLANUS-
n9
With precepts, that would make invincible
The heart that conn'd them,
fFiR. O heavens ! O heavens !
m Cor. Nay, I pr*ythee, womani^-
" FoL. Now the red peftilence ftrike all trades in
Rome,
And occupations periih !
CrjR. What, what, what !
I fhall be lov*d, when I am lack'd. Nay, mocheri
Refume that fpirit^ when you were wont to fay,
If you had been the wife of Hercules,
Six of his labours you'd have done, and fav'd
Your hufband Co much fweat, — Cominius,
Droop not ; adieu : — Farewell, my wife ! my mo-
ther !
I'll do well yet. — Thou old and true Menenius,
I Thy tears are falter than a younger man*s,
And venomous to thine eyes, — My fometime ge-
neral
1 have feen thee ftcrn, and thou haft oft beheld
Heart-hard'ning fpedacles ; tell thefe fad women,
B 'Tis fond*^ to wail inevitable ftrokes.
Whem m&ft firusJt homt^ Bfiitf g€niU 'w&utniidi f r^'uw
J M&hi< eumiittg ;] Thb is the ancient aiui authentic^ reading.
The modern editors have, for gtniit ^mtndtd, filently fubftituM
ftntij 'Warded^ and Dr. Warburton has explained gentij by aei/^.
% is good ro be fiire of our author's words bcfi
their meaning.
\ good ro be fure of our author's words before we go to explain
The fcnfe is. When Fortune Hrikes her hardell blows, to be
wotiiidedj and yet continue calm, requires a generous fjolicy,. H&
caUf fhia calmnefs cummmg^ becaufc it is the ctfe^ of reflexion and
pfailoibphy. Pefhap*; the firil emcitions of nature arc nearly uniform,
and one man differs from another in the power of endurance, t>
he 11 betier regulated by precept and inftruetvon-
'Th^y h^rtni J^reeff ^mi thejf felt m mm, JoHwsoir*
* *Tii fmd } h e- 'tis fooHih. See our author, paflim*
i6o C O R I O L A N U S.
As 'tis to laugh at them. — My mother, jrou wot
well.
My hazards ftill have been your folace : and
Believe't not lightly, (though I go alone.
Like to a lonely dragon, that his fen
Makes feaf'd, and talk'd of more than feen,) your
fon
Will, or exceed the common, or be caught
With cautelous baits and pradice.^
Vol. My firft fon,»
Whither wilt thou go ? Take good Cominius
With thee a while : Determine on fome courlc.
More than a wild expofture to each chance
That ftarts i' the way before thee.'
Cor. O the gods !
Com. I'll follow thee a month, devife with thee
Where thou Ihalt reft, that thou may'ft hear of us.
• cautelous baits and f raff ice.] By artful and falfc erickl,
gnd treafon. Johnson.
Cautelous, in the prefent inftance» fignifies — iujidioms. la tht
fcnfc of cautious it occurs in Julius Cafar :
" Swear priefts and cowards^ and men cautelous,**
Steeveni.
> My firft fort,'] Firft ^ i. e« nobleft^ and moft eminent of men.
Warbu^toh,
Mr. Heath would read :
My ^erce/ou. Stekvens.
> More than a nuild expofture to each chance
That ftarts V the ivaj^ before thee. '\ I know not whether ti»
word expofture be found in any other author. If not, I (hould in*
cline to read expojure. Ma lone.
We ftiould certainly read — expofure. So, in Macbeth :
'' And when we have our naked frailties hid
«* That fuffer in expo/urer^.'*
Again, in Troilus and Creffida : .
«* To weaken and difcredit our expo/ure — ."
Expof/uie is^ I believe, no more than a typographical error.,
Stbevbus,
C O R I O L A N U S. i6i
And we of thee: fo, if the time thrufl: forth
A caufe for thy repeal^ we fhall not fend
0*er the vaft worlds to feek a lingle man ;
And lofe advantage^ which doth ever cool
P the abfence of the needer.
CoA. Fare ye well : —
Thou haft years upon thee ; and thou art too full
Of the wars' forfeits, to go rove with one
That's yet unbruis'd : bring me but out at gate.—
Come, my fweet wife, my deareft mother, and
My friends of noble touch,'* when I am forth.
Bid me &rewell, and fmile. I pray you, come.
While I remain above the ground, you Ihall
Hear from me ftill ; and never of me aught
But what is like me formerly.
Men. That's worthily
As any ear can hear. — Come, let's not weep. —
If I could fhake off but one feven years
From thefe old arms and legs, by the good gods^
I'd with thee every foot.
Cor. Give me thy hand : —
Come. [ExeunL
SCENE II.
The fame. A Street near the Gate.
Enter Sicinius, Brutus, and an JEdile.
Sic. Bid them all home ; he's gone, and we'll
no further. —
4 Afy friends of noble touchy i. c. of true metal unallay'd. Me*
taphor from tr)dng gold on the touchftone. Warb urto:^.
Vot. XII. M
i62 C O R I O L A N U S.
The nobility arc vex'd, who, wc fee, have fided
In his behalf.
Bru. Now we have (hown our power.
Let us feem humbler after it is done.
Than when it was a doing.
Sic. Bid them home :
Say, their great enemy is gone, and they
Stand in their ancient ftrength.
Bru. Difmifs them home.
[Exit JEdilc.
Eater Volumnia, Virgilia, and Menenius.
Here comes his mother.
Sic. Let's not meet hen
Bru. Why?
Sic. They fay, Ihe's mad.
Br u. They have ta'en note of us :
Keep on your way.
FoL. O, you're well met: The hoarded plague
o'the gods
Requite your love !
Mfi.v. Peace, peace; be not fo loud.
roL. If that I could for weeping, you (hould
hear, —
Nay, and you fliall hear fomc. — Will you be gone?
[to Brutus.
Fir. You Ihall ftay too : [to Sicin.] I would, I
had the power
To fay fo to my hulband.
Sic. Are you mankind ?
FoL. Ay, fool; Is that a Ihame? — Note but this
fool. —
C O R I O L A N U S. 163
Was not a man my father ? ^ Hadft thou foxfhip ^
To baniih him that ftruck more blows for Roipe^
Than thou haft fpoken words ?
Sic. O blefled heavens !
f^OL. More noble blows, than ever thou wife
words ;
And for Rome's good. — PU tell thee what; — Yet
go:—
Nay, but thou Ihalt ftay too : — I would my foij
Were in Arabia, and thy tribe before him.
His good fword in his hand.
Sic. What then ?
Fir. What then ?
He'd make an end of thy pofterity.
f^ox. Baftards, and all. —
Good man, the wounds that he does bear for Rome !
Men. Come, come, peace.
* Sic. Jn fou mankind ?
Vol. Aj, fioli Is that a Jhame ? — Note but this fool. —
Was not a man my father f^ The word mankind is ufcd malici-
Doflr yxf the firft fpeakcr^ and taken perverfely by the fecond. A
mmnkimi woman is a woman with the roughncfs of a man» and^ in
an araavated ienfe^ a woman ferocious, violent, and eager to flied
bkxML In this fcnfe Sicinius aiks Volumnia, if (he be mankind.
She cakes numkind for a human creature ^ and accordingly cries out :
** Note but this fool. —
*' Was not a man my father ?" Johnson.
So, Jonfbn, in The Silent fFoman :
•• 0)Mr<iffi//ri/ generation I"
aiakfpeaxc himfelf, in The Winter's Tale :
•• a mankind witch.**
Fairfiuc, in his tranflation of Taffo :
** Sec, fee this mankind ^utof^t i fee, ihc cry'd,
*• This (hamelefs whore."
See Vol. VII. p. 68, n. 2. St e evens.
^ Hadft thorn ff^ip — ] Hadft thou, fool as thou art, mean can-
aing enough to bamim Corioianus ? Joh nson.
M 2
/
i64 C O R I O L A N U S.
Sic. I would he had continued to his country.
As he began ; and not unknit himfeif
The noble knot he made.
Bru» I would he had.
FoL. I would he had? *Twas you incens'd the
rabble :
Cats, that can judge as fitly of his worth.
As I can of thofe myfteries which heaven
Will not have earth to know.
Bru. Pray, let us go.
FoL. Now, pray, fir, get you gone :
You have done a brave deed. Ere you go, hear
this:
As far as doth the Capitol exceed
The meaneft houfe in Rome ; fo far, my fon,
(This lady's hufband here, this, do you fee,)
Whom you have banifli'd, does exceed you all.
Bru. Well, well, we'll leave you.
Sic. Why ftay we to be baited
With one that wants her wits ?
FoL. Take my prayers with you.—
I would the gods had nothing elfe to do,
[Exeunt Tribunes.
But to confirm my curfes ! Could I meet them
But once a day, it would unclog my heart
Of what lies heavy to'r.
Men. You have told them home,^
And, by my troth, you have caufe. You'll fup with
nic ?
FoL. Anger*s my meat ; I fup upon myfelf,
' l\u havi tolii Them harm ,\ So aeaiii, in this play :
" 1 cannot fpcuk him home. ' AIaloxe.
C O R I O L A N U S. 165
And fo Ihall ftarve with feeding.^ — Come, let's go :
Leave this faint puling, and lament as I do.
In anger, Juno-like. Come, come, come.
MbNp Fie, fie, fie I \^Exeunt.
SCENE III.
A Highway between Rome and Antium«
Enter a Roman and a Voice, meeting.
Rom. I know you well, fir, and you know me :
your name, I think, is Adrian.
f^OL. It is fo, fir : truly, I have forgot you.
Rom. I am a Roman ; and my fervices are, as
you are, againft them : Know you me yet ?
f^OL. Nicanor? No.
Rom. The fame, fir.
F'oL. You had more beard, when I laft faw you j
but your favour is well appeared by your tongue.*
• Anifajball^znt. with feeding.] This idea Is repeated in ^«-
-tmtj amd Cleopatra , AA II. fc. ii. and in PericUs :
" \Vho Jarves the ears {hc/redt," &c. Stsevbns.
9 — — hut jemr favour is nvfll appear'd by jour tongue.l^ This is
ftrange nonfenfe. We (hould read :
// ^ell appealed,
L e. brought into remembrance. Warburton.
I would read :
^— is lijell aflear'd.
That b, Jirengthenedy attefled^ a word ufed by our authour.
" His title is affear'd.*' Macbeth.
To repeal may be to bring to remembrance^ but appeal has another
ZDcaning. Johnson.
M3
i66 CORIOLANUS.
What's the news in Rome ? t have a note from the
Volcian ftate, to find you out there : You have well
faved me a day's journey.
RoAf. There hath been in Rome ftrange infiir-
redion : the people againft the fenators^ patricians,
and nobles.
roL. Hath been! Is it ended then? Our ftate
thinks not fo ; they are in a moft warlike prepara-
tion, and hope to come upon them in the heat of
their divifion.
Rom. The main blaze of it is paft, but a fmall
thing would make it flame again. For the nobles
receive fo to heart the banifhment of that worthy
Coriolanus^ that they are in a ripe aptnefs, to take
all power from the people, and to pluck from them
their tribunes for ever. This lies glowing, I can tell
you, and is almofl mature for the violent breaking
out.
f^OL. Coriolanus banifh'd ?
I would read :
Tourjavokr is njjtll approv'd hy your tongue ^
i. c. your tongue confirms tnc evidence of your face.
So, in Hamlet^ fc. i :
«* That if again this apparition come,
«« He may approve our eyes, and fpcak to it."
SjEiyivt.
If there be any corruption in the old copy, perhaps it radier it
in a preceding word. Our author might have wntten — ^your favour
has well appeared by your tongue : but the old text may» in Sbak*
fpcare's licentious dialeft, be right. Your favour is fully mbv^^/^
or rendered apparent ^ by your tongue.
In fupport of the old copy it may be obferved, that Uc9mii
was formerly ufed as a participle. So, in North's tranflation of
Plutarch, Life of Sylla, p. 622. edit. 1J75: " — which perhapt
would not Have hecomed Pericles or Ariflides." We have, I thisik»
the fame participle in Timon of Athens.
So Chaucer ufes dijpaired:
*' Alas, quod Pandarus, what may this be
\ «« ThsLl thou difpairedsLTt," &c. Maloke.
C O R I O L A N U S. 1^7
Rom. Banifli'd, fir.
FoL. You will be welcome with this intelligence,
Nicanor.
Rom. The day ferves well for them now. I have
heard it faid. The fitted time to corrupt a man's
wife, is when flie*s fallen out with her hufi^and.
Your noble Tullus Aufidius will appear well in
thefe wars, his great oppofer Coriolanus being now
in no requeft of his country.
Vol. He cannot choofe. I am moft fortunate,
thus accidentally to encounter you: You have ended
my bufinefs, and I will merrily accompany you
home.
Rom. I ftiall, between this and fupper, tell you
moft ftrange things from Rome ; all tending to the
good of their adverfaries. Have you an army ready,
fiiy you ?
FoL. A moft royal one : the centurions, and their
charges, diftindly billeted, already in the enter-
tainment,'' and to be on foot at an hour's warning.
Rom. I am joyful to hear of their readinefs, and
am the man, I think, that ihall fet them in prefent
adion. So, fir, heartily well met, and itio^ glad
of your company.
Vol. You take my part from me, fir; I have the
moft caufe to be glad of yours.
Rom. Well, let us go together. [Exeunt.
* already in the entertahiment,'\ That is, though not adlually
encamped, yet already in pay. To entertain an army is to take
them into pay. Joh nson.
Sec Vol. III. p. ^^6i n. 8. Maloni.
M
i68 C O R I O L A N U S.
SCENE IV.
Antium. Before Aufidius*s Hcufe.
Enter Coriolanus, in mean apparel^ i\fg^\f^d^ «»^
muffled.
Cor. a goodly city is this Antium : City,
*Tis I that made thy widows ; many an heir
Of thefe fair edifices *fore my wars
Have I heard groan, and drop : then know me not j
Left that thy wives with (pits, and boys withftonesj
Enier a Citizen.
In puny battle flay me. — Save you, fir.
Ctr. And you.
Cor. Diredl me, if it be your will.
Where great Aufidius lies : Is he in Antium ?
Cir. He is, and feafts the nobles of the ftate.
At his houfe this night.
Cor. Which is his houfe, 'befeech you?
Cir. This, here, before you.
Cor. Thank you, fir ; farewell.
[Exit Citizen.
O, world, thy flippery turns ! * Friends now feft
(worn.
* O, nvorld^ thy Jlipptry turns i &c,] This fine piAore of com-
mon friendihips^ is an artful introdudion to the fudden league,
which the poet made him enter into with Aufidius, and no kfi
artful an apology for his commencing enemy to Rome.
WARBVRT0!f«
C O R I O L A N U S* 163
Whofe double bofoms feem to wear one heart,
Whofe hours, whofe bed, whofe meal, and exercife.
Arc ftiil together, who twin, as *twere, in love '
Unfeparable, Ihall within this hour.
On a diflention of a doit, break out
To bittcreft enmity : So, fcllell foes,
Whofe pa (lions and whofe plots have broke their
fleep
To take the one the other, by fome chance,
Some trick not worth an egg, fhall grow dear friends^
And interjoin their iflues- So with me: —
My birth-place hate 1/ and my love's upon
This enemy town. — I'll enter: ^ if he flay me.
* Whi/e hoUTff 'whifi hed^ ti'h&fe meai^ and fxertl/e^
ArijtiU liigtther^ *whe twin^ as 'twere , m Is^ve — ] Our ailtbor
h^ agmjn ufed this verb in Othilh :
*• An4 he that is approved in this offence,
" Though he had /lyfffwVwith nie, — *' &c*
Pllt of thj5 defcription naturally reminds us of the following lineg
ia d Midfitmmer Night* t Dream :
'* Wc, Hermla, like two artificial gods,
" Have wiih our ncclds created both one flower^
*• Both on one fampler, fitting on one cuihion*
** Both warbling of one fong, both in one key :
** Asif our hands, our ftdes, voices, and minds,
*' Had been incorporate. So we grew together,
•' Like to a double cherry, fceming parted ;
•* Bat yet a union b partition,
'* Two lovely berries molded an one ftem :
*• So, fwith tmjo ftiming hadirSf hki one heart ;
" Two of the firft." &c. Ma lone,
* — hate/,] The old copy inftead of ^^f? reads — h^t^e^ The
etnendation was made by Mr* Stcevens, *' PU enter," means I'll
enter the hoofc of Aufidius, Ma lone,
* This tntmy to^wn^ — PU ettter :] Here, as in other p1ac», our
author is indebted to Sir Thomas North's Piutarch:^
•* For he difguifed him felfe in fuchc arrayc and attire, as he
thought no man could euer hauc knowen him for the j>erfone ho
witi« foetng him in that appaiell he had vpon hb backe : and as
M^mtr %5 of ^^ijffiip
I70 C O R I O L A N U S.
He does fair juftice ; if he give me way^
ril do his country fervice^ [Exit.
SCENE V.
ne/ame. A Hdl in Aufidius's Kmije.
Mufick within. Enter a Servant.
1. SERr. Wine, wine, wine! What fervice it
here ! I think our fellows are afleep. [£j»/»
Enter another Servant.
2. Serf. Whereas Cotus? my mailer calls for
him. Cotus ! [Exit.
Enter Coriolanus,
Cor. a goodly houfe : The feaft fmells well : but I
Appear not like a gueft.
Reenter thefirft Servant.
I . Serf. What would you have, friend ? Whence
are you ? Here's no place for you : Pray, go to the
door.
Cor. I have deferv'd no better entertainment.
In being Coriolanus.^
•* So dyd he enter into the enemies townc."
Perhs^, therefore* inftead of enein^, we fhottld itad^-^eieni^*/
or enemi^i' town. Stiivens.
4 In ^^>i«^Corio]anus.] i. e. in having derived that furaaine froM
the iack of Corioli. Steeviks.
CORIOLANUS. I^t
Re-enter fecond Servant.
2. Serf. Whence arc you, fir? Has the porter
his cyt^ in his head, that he gives entrance to fuch
companions ? * Pray, get you out.
Cor. Away!
2. Serf. Away? Get you away.
Cor. Now thou art troublefome.
2. Serf. Are you fo brave? I'll have you talked
with anon.
Enter a third Servant. Thefirji meets bitn.
3. Serf. What fellow's this ?
1. Serf. A ftrange one as ever I look'd on: I
cannot get him o'the houfe : Pr'ythee, call my maf-
ter to him.
2. Serf. What have you to do here, fellow?
Pray you, avoid the houfe.
Cor. Let me but ftand ; I will not hurt your
hearth.^
i ■ thigf be gives entrance to fuch companions ?] Companion wis
formerly nfed in the fame fenfe as we now ufe the word fellonu.
Malone.
The fame term is employed in AlVs ivell that ends iveU^ King
HtmryVL P. II. CjmheJine^ Othello^ Sec. Steeveks.
* Let me hut fiand '^ I avi/t not hurt jour heaiTth.] Here our author
has both followed and deferted his original, the old tranilation of
Plutarch. The filence of the fervants of Aufidius, did not fait the
purpofes of the dramatid :
•« So he went dirc^y to Tutlus Aufidius hoafe» and when he
came diither, he got him vp ftraight to the chimney harthe» and
(at trim downe» and (pake not a worde to any man, his face all
muffled ouer. They oi the houfe fpying him, wondered what he
ihould be, and yet they durft not byd him rife. For ill ftaoiedly
172 CORIOLANUS.
3. SERr. What are you?
Cor. a gentleman.
3. Ser^. a marvellous poor one.
Cor. True, fo I am.
3. SERr. Pray you, poor gentleman, take up fbme
other ftation ; here's no place for you ; pray yon,
avoid: come.
Cor. Follow your fundlion, go.
And batten on cold bits. [Pujbes him aw(^.
^.Serf. What, will you not? Pr'ythee, tell my
mafter what a ftrange gueft he has here.
2. Serf. And I (hall. [£;r//.
3. Serv. Where dwell'ft thou ?
Cor. Under the canopy.
3. Serf. Under the canopy ?
Cor. Ay.
3. Serf. Where's that?
Cor. V the city of kites and crows.
3. Serf. V the city of kites and crows? — What
an afs it is ! — Then thou dwclPft with daws too?
Cor. No, I ferve not thy mafter.
3. Serf. How, fir! Do you meddle with my maC*
tcr?
Cor. Ay ; 'tis an honeftcr fcrvice, than to med-
dle with thy mirtrefs :
Thou prat'rt, and prat'ft; ferve with thy trencher,
hence ! [Beats him invay.
muffled 2nd difguifed as he was, yet there appeared a certaine mt-
ieftie in his countenance, and in his filcnce : whereupon they went
to Tullus who was at fupper, to tdl him of the (Iraunge di(gui£ng
of this man."' Steevens.
CORIOLANUS.
£ff/^r AuFiDius and the Jecond Servant.
173
Avf. Where is this fellow ?
2. Serv. Here, fir ; I'd have beaten him like a
dog, but for difturbing the lords within.
Avf. Whence comcft thou ? what wouldeft thou?
*Thy name?
Why fpeak'ft not ? Speak, man : What's thy name ?
Cor. If, TuUus,^ [unmuffiing.
^ Ift TutluSf Sec] Thcfc fpeechcs arc taken from the following
in Sir Thomas North's tranflation of Plutarch :
" TuUus rofe prefently from the borde» and comming towards
him, aflted him what he was, and wherefore he came. Then Mar-
tius vnmuffled him felfe, and after he had paufed a while, making
no aunfwer, he fayed vnto him :
*• If thou knoweft me not yet, TuUus, and feeing me, doft not
perhappes beleeue me to be the man I am in dede, I miift of necef-
fitee bewraye myfelfe to be that I am. I am Caius Martius, who
hath done to thy felf particularly, and to all the Voices generally,
STcat hurte and mifchief, which I cannot denie for mv furname of
Coriolanus that I beare. For I never had other benefit nor recom-
pence, of all the true and paynefull feruice I haue done, and the
extreme daungers I haue bene in, but this only furname : a good
memorie and wicnes of the malice and di(pleafure thou (houldeft
bear me. In decde the name only remaineth with mc : for the rdl
the enuie and crueltie of the people of Rome haue taken from me,
by the fufierance of the daftardly nobilitie and magiilrates, who
haue foriaken me, and let me oe banilhed by the people. This
extremitie hath now driuen me to come as a poore futer, to take
thy chimney liarthc, not of any hope I haue to faue my life thereby.
For if I had feared death, I would not haue come hither to haue
pot my life in hazard : but prickt fonvard with fpite and defire I
haue to be rcuenged of them that have banilTicd me, whom now I
begin to be auenged on, putting my perfone betweene thy enemies.
Wherefore, if thou haft any harte to oe wrecked of the injuries thy
enemies have done thee, fpede thee now, and let my miferie ierue
thy tume, and fo vfe it, as my feruice maye be a benefit to the
Voices : promifing thee, that I will fight with better good will for
all you, than euer I d^'d when I was again ft you, knowing that
they fight more valiantly, who know the torce of their encmie.
174
C O R I O L A N U S.
Not yet thou know 'ft me, and feeing mc^ doft not
Think me for the man I am, neceflity
Commands me name myfelf.
AvF* What is thy name ?
[Servants retire.
Cor, a name unmufical to the Vokians' ears^
And harfh in found to thine.
AuF. Say, what's thy name ?
Thou haft a grim appearance, and thy face
Bears a command in't ; though thy tackle's torn.
Thou fhow'ft a noble vefTel : ' What's thy name ?
Cor, Prepare thy brow to frown: Know 'ft thou
me yet ?
Auf* I know thee not: — Thy name ?
Cor. My name is Caius Marcius, who hath done
To thee particularly, and to all the Voices,
Great hurt and mifchief 5 thereto witnefs may
My furname, Coriolanus ; The painful fervice,
The extreme dangers, and the drops of blood
Shed for my than kiefs country, are requited
But with that furnamei a good memory/
than fuch as hauc oeucr proved ir. And if it be fo that thou daie
nor, awi that thou art wearyc to proue fortune any more, then aio
I aJfo weary to Hue any longer* And it were no wifdomc in thee,
to fauc the life of him, who hath bene heretofore thy mortal!
cncmiep and whofc feruice now can nothing helpe nor plcafure
thee-** Steevens.
* thjtgh thj iadh'f iarjr,
Thmifimv*ft a miflt %*ffti:] A correfponding idem occuri in
Cjmifliiff :
'* The ruin fpeaks, that fame time
** It was a worthy building*" Steevins,
* fl ^©^ memory,] The Oxford editor, not knowing that
mim&fy W&i ufed at that time for mem&naf, alteni it CO mcm^tiiiL
JoasciOR.
See the preceding note. M a lo n e ,
AodVoK VL p*43, n. g* Run.
■ 7
CORIOLANUS,
ns
And witnefs of the malice and difpleafur^
Which thou fliould'ft bear me : only th^t name re-
mains;
The cruelty and envy of the people,
Permitted by our daftard nobles, who
Have all forfook me, hath devoured the reft;
And fuffcr*d me by the voice of flaves to be
Whoop 'd out of Rome, Now, this extremity
Hath brought me to thy hearth j Not out of hope,
Miftake me not, to favc my lik; for if
I had fear'd death, of all the men i' the world
I would have 'voided thee :* but in mere fpite»
To be full quit of thofe my banifhers.
Stand I before thee here. Then if thou haft
A heart of wreak in thee/ that will revenge
Thine own particular wrongs, and ftop thofe maims
Of fiiamc^ feen through thy country, fpeed thee
ftraight.
And make my mifcry ferve thy turn; fo ufe it.
That my revengeful fervices may prove
As benefits to theei for I will fight
Againft my canker'd country with the fpleen
Of all the under fiends.' But if fo be
^ ■- efal/ thf mm i* the *uw/f/
/ 'womM hirv€ '^vefdfd thre ;] So, m Macheth :
** Of aU men eJfc I have avaidcd thee»" Stiivi if i*
' A hean &/ wrcak m ^het] A heart of refentmcnt, Jan ti 10 jr.
Wrtak ii an ancient lerm for revenge. So* in TiiMf Aftdrmicmt :
" Take fwriak on Rome for this ingratittjde/'
Again, in Gower, De Cmfrffium Am^nth^ Lib* V. fol. 8| :
'« She faith that hir felfe fhe fhoMe
*' Do *u?rr A wiih hir own hondc/' STiivisri,
' maims
0/J^jme ] That is, difgraceful diaunutioni of tcmtoiy*
JotiP7ioirt
C>/^W//^< tender ficndi.] SbJcfp^Are, by imputing a ftrongw
176 C O R I O L A N U S.
Thou dar'ft not this^ and that to prove more for-
tunes
Thou art tir'd, then, in a word, I alfo am
Longer to live moft weary, and prcfent
My throat to thee, and to thy ancient malice :
Which not to cut, would (how thee but a fool ;
Since I have ever followed thee with hate.
Drawn tuns of blood out of thy country's bread.
And cannot live but to thy fhame, unlefs
It be to do thee fervice,
AvF. O Marcius, Marcius,
Each word thou haft fpoke hath weeded from my
heart
A root of ancient envy. If Jupiter
Should from yon cloud fpeak divine things, and
fay,
•7/V true; I'd not believe them more than thee.
All noble Marcius. — O, let me twine
Mine arms about that body, where againft
My grained a(h an hundred times hath broke.
degree of inveteracy to fubordinate fiends, feems to intimate, and
very jufUy, that malice of revenge is more predominant in die
lower than the upper clafTes of fociety. This circumftance is repeat-
edly exemplified in the condud of Jack Cade and other heioei of
the mob. Steevens.
This appears to me to be refining too much. Under fiends in
this pafTage does not mean, as I conceive, fiends /uhrdmate, or in
an iftfirior (lation, but infernal fiends. So, in King Henry VL
" Xow, ye familiar fpirits, that are call'd
'• Out of the powerful regions //W^-r earth," &c.
^ In Shakrjx:are*s time fome fiends were fuppofed to inhabit the
air, others to dwell under ground, &c. Malone.
As Shnkf|xrare ufes the word /W^-r-fk inker, to exprefs the lowf
rank of waiter, I do not find myfclf difj>ofed to give up my ex-
planation of uttd:r fiends, Jnllancf^, however, of** too much re-
finciiicni" arc not iK-cuIiar to mc. ^rErvEus,
CORIOLANUS,
'77
And fcar*d the moon* with fpl inters ! Here I clip
The anvil of my fword ; * and do conteft
J\s hotly and as nobly with thy love^
As ever in ambitious ftrength I did
Contend againft thy valour. Know thou firtt,
I lov'd the maid I married; never man
S[gh*d truer breath ; * but that I fee thee here.
Thou noble thing! more dances my rapt heart.
Than when 1 firft my wedded miftrefs faw
Bcftride my threihold/ Why, thou Mars ! I tell thee^,
i jiwJ fcar'd ifft maoft ] [Old copjr — fcarr*d,] I bcliares
Sg^tly* The modem editors read /car J, that is, frizhtenedi a
B»din^ to which the following line in King Rkhard lih certainlf
idds Jomc Tupport :
*• Arnold the wdkin with your broken ftavcs/' MALONt^
I read with the modern editors, rcjeding the Chrononhatoniho-
Uglca] idea of ftanfying ihc moon. The verb to Jcurt is agaiii
ittcn/riiFr, in the old copf of ^r^- Winters Tn!e: '* They nave
Nfr V away two of my bell (beep.* ' St t i v e k a,
* ^ — /f^^f /clip
^hf anvil of roy fword ;] To di^ is to embrace. So, in An*
" Enter the city, clip your wives — •"
AuGditis ftyles Coriolanus the an^il of hh fmurd^ becaufe he had
\y laid as heavy blows on him, as a fimth ilrike£ on hii m-
pL So, in Hamkt :
•* And nevcf did the Cyclops* hammers fall
" On Mars's armour
" \Mth Icfs lemorfc that Pyrrhns' bleeding fword
** Now falls on Priam/* Steevens,
* — — »rprr matt
Sig^*d ttmr hteaih %\ The fame exprelfion is found in our au-
or'» /Vjvkx and Adonii :
'• I'll /^i& celeftial irf^^^^ whofe gentle wind
'* Shall cool the heat of this defccnding fun."
Again, in Tht T<tv& NMe Km/merr, by ShaEfpeare and Fletcher,
16J4:
" Lover never yet inadeyij'i&
" Trufrthml/' MAtotlE,
* Bc£lride my tknJMd*} Shakfpeare wasutjiware that & Roman
Vol, XIL N
178 C O R I O L A N U S.
We have a power on foot ; and I had; purpofe
Once more to hew thy target from thy brawn.
Or lofc mine arm for't : Thou haft beat nf>c out
Twelve feveral times,* and I have nightly finec
Dreamt of encounters 'twixt thyfeif and mc ;
We have been down together in my fleep>
Unbuckling helmSj fifting each other's throaty
And wak'd half dead ^' with nothing. Worthy Mar-
cius,
Had we no quarrel elfe to Rome, but that '
Thou art thence banifh'd, we would mufter all
From twelve to feventy ; and, pouring war
Into the bowels of ungrateful Rome,
Like a bold flood o'er-bcat.' O, come, go in.
And take our friendly fenators by the hands ;
bride, on her entry into her hufband's houfe, was prohiluted ffOfll
beftridiMg his thrcfhold ; and that, left (he (hould even touch it» Ac
was always lifted over it. Thas, Lmcant B. IL 399 :
Tralata *vetuit contmgere Umina flanta. Stesvsns*
5 Thou baft htat me out
Tiuel've federal times ^1 Om/ here means, I beiieire, /id/, cnt-
fleu. Ma LONE.
So, inTheTempeft:
*• for then thou waft not
*' Out three years old.** S teeven/?.
'' Arid ivak*d half dtad — ] Unlcfs the two preceding Gnet he
confidercd as parenthetical, here is another inliance of our author's
concluding a (entence, as if the former part had been conftniAed
differently, " ^/'i' have been down,** mull be confidercd as if he
had written — 1 have been down ivith ysu, in my deep, and *wak*dp
&c. Sec Vol. XI. p. I JO, n. 9 ; and Vol. VI. p. 1 89, n, 9, and
p. 359, n, 5. Mai. ONE.
'' JLid zve 710 qiMrrel tlfi to Rome^ hut thai — ] The old copy,
redundantly, and unncccir.irily, —
ihid T'.r no other inarul . IJx: ^: c. St l e v e n ?.
• Like a bold Jk^d u€r-i:c:\.\ Though this ib intelligible, and the
reading of the old copv. perhaps our author wrote — o'er-bcar. So,
In OtMh :
•' h of fudi flood-gate and o'cr-beii»ing nature — ."
Stbiyiss*
CORIOLANUS,
it9
Who now are here, taking tlieir leaves of mc,
Who am prepared agavnll your tcrntories.
Though HOC for Rome icfelf*
Cor, You bleft me, Gods!
Auf* Therefore, mod abfolutefir, if thou Milt
have
The leading of thine own revenges, take
The one half of my commiflion i and fct down, —
As beft: thou art experienced, fincc thou know'it
Thy country's ftrength and weaknefs, — thine own
ways :
Whether to knock againft the gates of Rome,
Or rudely vifit them in parts remote.
To fright them, ere deftroy. But come in :
Let me commend thee firft to thofe, that Ihall
Say,^^'^, to thy defires, A thoufand welcomes F
And more a friend than e'er an enemy i
Yet, MarciuSj that was much. Your hand ! Moft
welcome !
[Exeunt CoRiOLANtJs ^W Aufidius,
1, Serf, [advancmg,} Here's a flrange alteration !
2, Serf. By my hand> I had thought to have
firucken him with a cudgel ; and yet my mind gave
me, his clothes made a falfe report of him*
1, Serf, What an arm he has! He turn'd me
about with his finger and his thumb, as one would
fet up a top,
2, Serf, Nay, I knew by his face that there was
fomething in him : He had» fir, a kind of face,
met bought, — I cannot tell how to term it.
r. Serf* He had fo; looking^ as it were, —
•Would I were hang'd, but I thought there was
more in him than I could think,
2. Serf. So did I, I'll be fworn: He is fimply
the rarcft man i' the world,
N 2
i8o G O R I O L A N U S,
1. SERy'. I think, he is: but a greater ibldier
than he, you wot one.
2. Serf. Who? my mafter?
J. Serf. Nay, it's no matter for that.
2. Serf. Worth fix of him.
1. Serf. Nay, not fo neither; but I take him to
be the greater foldier.
2. Serf. 'Faith, look you, one cannot tell how
to fay that : for the defence of a town, our general
is excellent.
I. Serf. Ay, and for an afTault too.
Reenter third Servant.
3. Serf. O, flaves, I can tell you news; news^
you rafcals.
I. 2. Serf. What, what, what? let's partake.
3. Serf. I would not be a Roman, of all nations ;
I had as lieve be a condemned man.
I. 2. Serf. Wherefore? wherefore?
3. Serf. Why, here's he that was wont to thwack
<our general, Caius Marcius.
1. Serf. Why do you fay, thwack our general?
3. Serf. I do not fay, thwack our general ; but
he was always good enough for him.
2. Serf. Come, we arc fellows, and friends : he
was ever too hard for him ; I have heard him fay
fo himfelf.
1. Serf. He was too hard for him dirciflly, to
fay the truth on't : before Corioli, he fcotch'd hini
and notch'd him like a carbonado.
2. Serf. An he had been cannibally given, he
might have broil 'd and eaten him too.'
' he ml^ht have broil 'd and eaten bim /a*.] The old copye
reads — boiVd. The change was made by Mr. Pope, Malomc.
CORIOLANUS.
i8f
i. ^£flr. But, more of thy news ?
3< Serf. Why, he is fa made on here within, as
if he were fon and heir to Mars : fet at upper end
o* the table: no qucftion aflc'd him by any of the
fcnators, but they ft and bald before him : Our ge-
neral himfelf makes a miftrcfs of him; faniflifies
himfelf with's hand/ and turns up the white o'the
eye tohis difcourfc. But the bottom of the news
is, our general is cut i* the middle^ and but one
half of what he was yefterday: for the other has
half, by the entreaty and grant of the whole table,
Heii go, he fays, and fowie the porter of Rome
gates by the ears:^ He will mow down all before
hirti, and leave his paflage poll'd**
I
• funiiipe% himjilf *imth'i ba^id,] AUiidiag, improperly, to
the a^ of trtfffttg u pon a ay il range event* J o h k so n h.
J rather irnagine the roeaning is, confitlers the touch of his hand
as holy ; clafps it with the fame rcyercncc as a Iov^t would clafp
the hand of his mitlrers* If there be any religious allulion, I ihould
niJier foppofe it tQ be the InifKifition of the fend in confirmation.
Ma LOME*
TVrha|>ft tbe allafion ii (however out of place) to the degree of
landtty anciently fuppofcd to be derived from touching the corporal
rdick of a faint or a martyr. St e f v e s s.
» M/ii fowle the porter ef R^me gates bj the ean /] That
k, I fiippofc, drag him down by the cars into the dirt, SmilUr,
Fr- joHW*OEi.
Dr« Johnfon'^ fuppofition. though not his derivatiotij is juH.
dinner fay* the word is derived Irom faw^ L e. to takt h&Zd ofm^
p^fftm hj the fart^ m a d&g ftixsi <ine of thcfe ammalu So* Hcywood^
ill a comedy called X^av*/ Mlfirtfst 1 636 :
** Venus nmiip^ie m^ bj tht tart for this/'
Perhaps Shakfpcare*s aJluilion is to Hercuht dragging out Ctt^
Whatever the etymolop- of fi^lt may l>e, it appears to have
b^en a familiar word in the kft century* Lord Strafford's corrc-
fpotuient, Mr* Garrard, ofcs it as Shakfj^are docs. Sttisff^ Leii^
p. 149,
" A lieutenant >/i*if j&jV^ *wiii bj the ears^ md
N 3
i82 C O R I O L A N U S.
2. SERy. And he's as like to do't^ as any man I
can imagine.
3. Serf. Do*t? he will do't: For, look you, firt
he has as many friends as enemies : which friends»
fifj (as it were,) durft not (look you, fir,) ftiow
themfelves (as we term it J his friends, whilft he'a
in diredtitude.'
I. Serf. Direditude! What's that?
. 3. Serf. But when they (hall fee, fir, his crctt up
again, and the man in blood,^ they will out of their
drew him by the hair about the room.'' Lord Strafford himfelf
ufc8 it in another fcnfe. Vol. II. p^ 138. " It is ever a hopcfbl
throw, where the cafter files his bowl well." In this paflage to
folf feems to fignify what, I l)elieve» is ufually called /« grwmd a
bowl. Tyrwhitt.
Cole in his Latin Didlionary, i679» I'^nders it, auremfumwui^
vellerf. Ma lone.
ToftrCi'le is ftill in nfe for pulling, dragging, and logging, in
the Weft of England. S. W.
* hi: fajfage polPd.'] That is, bared^ cleared. JoHNSOV*
To poll a pcrfon anciently meant to cut off bis hair. So, 10
Damatai' Madrigall in praij'e of his Daphuist by J. Wooton, pub-
liihed in England* s Helicon ^ quarto, 1600 :
«* Like Nifus golden hair that SciUa/o/*^."
It likewife fie^fied to cut off the head. So, in the andcnt me-
trical hiftory of the battle oi Floddon Field:
** But now we will withftand his grace,
«' Or thoufand heads fhall there he polled*** Stbsvins.
So, in ChriJVs Tears over Jeru/alem, by Tliomas Nafhe, 1 504 :
'* — the winning love of neighbours round about, if haply tUr
houfes fhould be environed, or any in them prove UDnuy, being
pilled and pouVd too unconfcionably." — Poul*ai& the ipdlingof die
old copy of Coriolanus alfo. M A L o m e.
I rwhilft he's in dircftitudc.] I fufpeft the author wrote >^
whilft he*s in dijcreditude \ a made word, inftead of di/crediim He
intended, I fuppofe, to put an uncommon word into the moath of
this fervant, wiiich haa fome refemblance to fenfe: bnt cooU
hardly have meant that he ftiould talk abfolute nonfenfe.
Maloxi,
4 m^-^^ in iloodf} Seep. 14, n. 3. Malone,
C O R I O L A N U S. 183
burrows, like conies after rain, and revel all with
him.
1. Serf. But when goes this forward?
3, Serf. To-morrow ; to-day; prefently. You
Ihali have the drum (truck up this afternoon: 'tis,
as it were, a parcel of their feaft, and to be execu*
ted ere they wipe their lips.
2. Serf. Why, then we fliall have a ftirring
world again. This peace is nothing, but to ruft
iron, increafe tailors, and breed ballad-makers.^
I. Serf. Let me have war, fay I; it exceeds
peace, as far as day does night ; it's fpritely, wak-
ing, audible, and full of vent.^ Peace is a very
apoplexy, lethargy ; mull'd," deaf, fleepy,infenfible ;
a getter of more baftard children, than wars a de-
ftroyer of men/
* This peace is nothings hut to rufi &:c ] T believe a word or
two have been loft. Shakfpearc probably wrote :
This peace is good for nothing buty &c. Malon£.
Sir Thomas Hanmer reads — is ^uyorth nothing, &c. Ste evens.
^ full of vent.] Full of rumour^ full of materials for dif*
comrfe. Johnson.
7 tnuird,'] i. ۥ foftcn'd and difpiritcd, as wine is when
burnt and fwecten'd. lax. Mollitsss^ Hanmer.
• — than wars tf deftroyer of men,'] i. e. than ivars are a deftroyer
«f men. Our author almoft every where ufcs nvars in the plural.
Sec the next fpeech. Mr. Pope, not attending to this, reads — than
owjrV, &c. which all the fubicqaent editors have adopted. Walkings
the reading of the old copy in this fpeech, was rightly corrcdled
by him. Ma lone.
I ihoald have perfifted in adherence to the reading of Mr. Pope,
bad not a fimilar irregularity in fpeech occurred in AWs iveli that
emdt^ell^ Ad II. fc. i. where the fecond Lord fays — ** O, 'tis
brave nmrs /" as we have here — " luars may be faid to be a iw-
N 4
iS4 C O R I O L A N U S.
2. Ser^. 'Tis fo : and as wars, in fome fort, may
be faid to be a ravilher ; fo it cannot be denied, but
peace is a great maker of cuckolds.
I. Serf. Ay, and it makes men hate one another.
3* Serf. Reafon; becaufe they then lefs need
one another. The wars, for my money. I hof>e
to fee Romans as cheap as Volcians. — They are
rifing, they are riling.
All. In, in, in, in. [Exeunf^
SCENE VI.
Rome. A Publick Place.
Enter Sicinius and Brutus.
Hic. We hear not of him, neither need we fear
him;
His remedies are tame i* the prcfent peace'
And quietnefs o* the people, which before
Perhaps, however, in all thefe inftances, the old blundering
tranfcribers or printers, may have given us tvan inftead o£*war.
Steeveks.
9 H/s remedies are tame V the trefent peace ^-^ The old reading is.
His remedies are tame^ the prejent peace •
I do not underfland either line, but fancy it (hoold be read tfans :
■ neither need ive fear him ;
His remedies are XT^tn^ the prefent peace
And quietnefs o* the people^
The meaning, fomewhat harfhly exprefled, according to onr au-
thor's cuftom, IS this: We need not fear him, the proper remedies
againil him are taken, by reftoring /f^r^ and quietnefs. J ohm sow,
I rather fuppofe the meaning of Sicinius to be this :
His remedies are tame,
\. e. mt^^m/ in times of peace like thefe. When the people weic
CORIOLANUS.
185
Were in wild hurrj^. Here do we make his friends
Blufh, that the world goes well ; who rather had>
Though they themfelves did fuffer by't, behold
DiiTentious numbers peftering ftreets, than fee
Our tradefmen fmging in their fliops, and going
About their fundlions friendly.
Enter Menekius*
Bru. We flood to't in good time. Is this Me-
nenius ?
Sic, *Tis he, 'tis he: O, he is grown moft kind
Oflatc*— Hail, fir!
Men. Hail to you both ! *
Sic, Your Coriotanus, fir, is not much mifs*d/
But with his friends : the common-wealth doth
ftand;
And fo would do> where he more angry at it*
in commotion, hia friends might have ftrovc to remedy^ his difgract
by tampering with them ; but now, neither wan ring to employ hit
bravery, nor remembering his former a^Hons> they are unfit fub-
Jc^t for the famous to work upon,
Mr. NL Mafon would read, i&me; but the epithets tame and
milJwcttt I beUcvc* dcfig:nedly oppofcd to each other*
Stiev£N«.
lift [t* the prefcnt peace] which was omitted in the old copy*
was inierted by Mr, Theobald- Ma lone.
» I/ail iQjm both !] From this reply of Mcnemus* it fhould fcem
that $^th the tribunes had faluted mm ; a circumflancc alfo to be
inferred from the prefent deficiency In the metre, which would be
TcHored by reading (according lo the propofal of a modem editor) :
Sru, Hafl, firf
Men. Hail i&ym ^tk i
ST£EVEllt«
f Tmr C&rkimas, fir, h mt much mifs^d^ I have admitted the
wofd— ^r, for the fake of mcafu re* Stebvens,
lU CORIOLANUS^
Mek. All's well; and might have been much
better, if
He could have temporized.
Sic. Where is he, hear ytni ?
Men. Nay, I hear nothing ; his mother and his
wife
Hear nothing from him.
Enter three or four Citizens,
Cir. The gods preferve you both !
Sic. Good-e*en, our neighbours,
Bru. Good-e*en to you all, good c*en to you alK
I. Cir. Ourfelves, our wives, and children, on
our knees.
Are bound to pray for you both.
Sic. Live, and thrive!
Bru. Farewell, kind neighbours: We wifh'd
Coriolanus
Had iov'd you as we did,
Cir. Now the gods keep you I
Both.Tri. Farewell, farewell. [£a'^/^»/ Citizens,
Sic. This is a happier and more comely tinne^
Than when thefe fellows ran about the ftreets.
Crying, Confufion.
BrU' Caius Marcius was
A worthy officer i* the war; but infolent,
O'ercome with pride, ambitious paft all thinking,
3eIf-loving, —
Sic. And afFeding one fole throne.
Without afliftance.*
» ■■>4f^^Mf/ em file throne^
Without ajjifiavct.'l That is, without opJfwi\ without any other
(uffrage. Johnson.
7
C O R I O L A N U S. 1I7
Men. I think not fo.
Sic. We fhould by this, to all our lamentation^
If he had gone forth conful, found it fe.
Bru. The gods have well prevented it, and Rome
Sits fafe and ftill without him.
Enter ^dile.
Md. Worthy tribunes.
There is a flave, whom we have put in prifon.
Reports, — the Voices with two feveral pdwers
Are entered in the Roman territories ;
And with the deepeft malice of the war
Deftroy what lies before them.
Mek. 'TisAufidius,
Who, hearing of our Marcius* banilhment,
Thrufts forth his horns again into the world ;
Which were infheird, when Marcius flood for
Rome,'
And durft not once peep out.
Sic. Come, what talk you
Of Marcius ?
Brv. Go fee this rumourer whipp'd. — ^It cannot
be,
W about ajtfiance.'l For the fake of meafure I fliould wi(h to
Without ajpftance in't.
This heraifticb, joined to the following one, would then form
a regular verfe.
It is alfo not improbable that Shakfpeare inflead of affiftanr^ wrote
affiftan/j. Thas in the old copies of our author, we have ingredienr^
£>r ingredien//, occurrence tor occurren//, &c. St sevens.
^ flood for Rome^ i. e. flood up in its defence. Had the
cxpreffion in the text been met with in a learned author, it might
luive pafTed for a Lacinifm :
— -fummis^4«/eMr/r9 turribus Idam* Aneid IX. jyj,
Stebvbns*
188 C OR I O L A N U S.
The Voices dare break with us.
Mes. Cannot be!
We have record, that very well it can ;
And three examples of the like have been
Within my age. But reafon with the fellow/
Before you punifh him, where he heard this ;
Left you ftiall chance to whip your information.
And beat the meflenger who bids beware
Of what is to be dreaded.
Sic. Tell not me :
I knoW) this cannot be.
£ru. Not poffiblc.
£nfer a Meflenger.
Mess. The nobles, in great earneftnefs, are going
All to the fenate houfe : fome news is come/
That turns their countenances.*
Sic. 'Tis this flave; —
Go whip him *fore the people's eyes : — his raifing !
' *■ ■ xeafon tuHh the fellow,'] That if » have fome talk with
him. In this fenfe Shakfpcare often ufet the word. See Vol. III.
p. 200« n. 3. Johnson.
* fome ntnvs is eomeA Old copy— redundantly,— fomc
news is come /«. The fccond folio— rom/v^; but, I think, erro*
neoufly. Steivens*
^ ' fome ve*ws is come.
That turns their countenances J] u e. that renders their a(peft
/mt. This allufion to the acefcence of milk occurs again in 7mm
«f Athens :
'* Has friendlhip fuch a faint and milky heart,
" It turns in Icfs than two nights ?" Ma lone.
I believe nothing more is meant than — changes their countenances.
So, in Cymbeline :
** Change you, madam }
•* The noble Leonatus is in fafcty." Steeveks*
CORIOLANUS.
»»f
I
I
I
I
Nothing but his report !
Mess* Yes, worthy fir.
The flave's report is fecondcd ; and more^
More fearful, is delivered.
Sic. What more fearful !
Mes* It is rpoke freely out of many mouths,
(How probable, I do not know,) that Marc i us,
Join'd with Aufidius, leads a power 'gainft Rome;
And vows revenge as fpacioos, as between
The young' ft and oldctt thing.
Sic This is moft likely!
Bru. Raised only, that the weaker fort may wifi^
Good Marcius home again.
Sic, The very trick on*t.
MBh\ This is unlikely:
He and Aufidius can no more atone,*
Than violenteft contrariety.
Enter anatber Mcfrenger,
Mbs. You are fent for to the fenate :
A fearful army, led by Caius Marcius,
Affbciatcd with Aufidius, rages
Upon our territories ; and have already
* cmt m msrt atone,] To oiont^ in tKc 4£live hn£c, is rci
rtt&Hctie^ and U fo ufed by our author* To st&nt here, is^ in the
poiTral fenfc, to same ie rfconciliatm. To aimf is to mkt,
JoHNSOir.
Ttc ciymology of this verb may be known from the following
pa0age in the fecond Book of Sidney's Arcadm ; /' NecclBtie made
Uk Ice, that a common enemie ieE& at o^e a civitl warre/'
Steevins.
Afofjft fcems to be derived from trt and mr ;— to reeonclle to, or,
to be at, union. In fome books of Shakfpearc*s age 1 have lound
the pbrafc in its original form, " — to reconcile and mtke them
mi Gmt/* Mauoke.
190 C O R I O L A N U S.
O'cr-borne their way, confum*d with fire, and took
What lay before them.
EnUr CoKfiNius.
CoM^ O, you have made good work !
Affy. What news ? what news ?
Com. You have holp to ravifli your own daugh^
ters, and
To nxelt the city leads * upon your pates ;
To fee your wives difhonour'd to your nofes ; —
Mek. What's the news ? what's the news ?
Com. Your temples burned in their cement ; and
Your franchifes, whereon you flood, confin'd
Into an augre's bore.''
Men-. Pray now, your news ? —
You have niade fair work, I fear me : — Pray, your
news ?
If Marcius (hould be join'd with Volcians, —
Com. If!
He is their god ; he leads them like a thing
Made by fome other deity than nature,
That (hapes man better : and they follow him»
Againft us brats, with no lefs confidence.
Than boys purfuing fummer butter-flies.
Or butchers killing flies.
* ■ "tie cit^ leads ^^1 Our anthor, I believe, was here think*
ing of the old city gates of London. M a lo n e .
The fame phrafe has occarred already, in this play. See p. 74.
Leads were not peculiar to our city gates. Few ancient houfes of
confeqoence were without them. Steeve ns,
"* cotefitd
JftM am OMgre^s boreJ] So, in Macbeth :
*« —our 6te hid in an augre-holc." SrEiTBira.
CORIOLANUS. 191
Men. You have made good work,
♦Vou, and your apron-men ; you that ftood fo much
Upon the voice of occupation/ and
The breath of garlick-eaters 1 ^
Com. , He will ihate
Your Rome about your eara«
Men. As Hercules
Did (hake* diwn mellow fruit ; * You have made
fair wort I
• Uffiu fife *vfiice of occupation,] Occupation is here ufed for me-
chankiu i^cn oceapie J in daily bafinefs. So, again in yuirvs Cafar^
A€k I. fc. ii, ♦* An I had been a man of any occufathm^ &c.
So, Horace ufttsar/// for artifices:
Urii enimfulgore fuo^ qui pnegravat artes
Infra fe pofitas. Ma Lo n E.
In the next pae6 but one, the word crafts is ufed in the like
manner, where Menenhis fays,
** — «.yoa have made fair hands,
" You, and your crafts P' M, Mason.
9 The breath of garlick-eaters I'l To fmell of garlick was once
fuch a brand of vulgarity, that garlick was a food forbidden to
^ ancient order of Spanidi knights, mentkmed by Guevara.
JoHNSOsr*
So, in Meafure for Meafure : ** — he would mouth with a beg*
gar, tbwgb Ihe fmell'd brown bread and gariicL** Ma lone.
To fmell of leeks was no lefs a marie of vulgarity among the
Roman people in the time of Juvenal. Sat. iii :
— — quis tecum fe8ih porrum
Smtor, et elixi 'vervecis labra comedit ?
And from the following paffage in Dcckar's If this he not a good
Pimy the Devil is in it^ i6i2, it (hould appear xhit garlick was
once much ufed in England, and afterwards as much out of
faihion.
•« Fortune favours nobody but garlick, nor garlick neither now ;
yet (he has ftrong rcafon to love it : for though garlick made her
finell abominably in the noftrils of the gallants, yet (he had fmelt
and flunk worfe hi garlick."
Hence, perhaps, the cant denomination Pil-garlick for a deferCfid
fellow, a perfon left to fuffer without friends to adid him.
STEBVENSjr
* jfs Hercules Sec] A ludicrous allufion to the aj^ples of ihcw
Hcfperides. Stee vb n s.
i^i
CORIOLANUS.
Bru* But is this true* fir?
Com. Ay ; and you'll look pale ,
Before you find it other. All the regions
Do fmilingly revolt ; * and, who refift^
Are only mock*d for valiant ignorance/
And perifti conftant fools. Who is*t can blame
him?
Your enemies* and his* find fomething in him,
Men^ We are all undone, unlcfs
The noble man have mercy.
Com. Who (hall afk k >
The tribunes cannot do't for (liame ; the people
Deferve fuch pity of him, as the wolf
Does of the Ihepherds : for his beft friends, if they
Should fay, Be good lo Rome, they charg'dhim*
even
As thofe fhould do that had deferv'd his hate.
And therein Ihow'd like enemies*
Men* 'Tis true;
If he were putting to my houfe the brand
That fhould confume it, I have not the face
* Dq fmilingly r^^o/t;] Smllmgly h the word in the old copf^
for vfhich/etmmgij has been ptktcd in late editions.
To r^oii /milingij is to revolt with iigns of pleaftire^ or with
marks of contempt. Stieviks.
* j^rt only MflfitV /cfr valiant Ignorance, ] So, in Troiiits m^i
Crrffiiia: *' 1 had rather be a tick in a (hecp, than fuch a ^ainm^
MgmrnnfeJ*
The adverb^/r^, was fupplkd by Six Thomas Hanmcr to
complete the verfc, Steevens.
* they €harg*4i him &c,] Their charge or iajunftion would
ihow them infcnfibJe of bis wrongs, and make themyS-nv iikt me*
jarrW. JoHNSOfv'.
The^ eh&rgdt md thtttm fia^^d^ has hetc the force of fi*f
nmdd tharg€^ and ihirtin Jhrtx\ Maluki*
CORIOLANUS.
m
To fay^ *Be/eetb y&u, ua/t. — You have made feir
hands,
You> and your crafts ! you have crafted fair !
Com. You have brought
A trembling upon Romc^ fuch as was never
So incapable of help.
Tri. Say not, we brought it-
Men. Howl Was it wc? We lov'd himi but*
like hearts.
And cowardly nobles,* gave way to yourcluftcrs.
Who did hoot him out o' the city.
Com But, I fear
They'll roar him in again.* Tullus Aufidius^
The lecond name of men, obeys his points
As if he were his officer : — Defperation
Is all the policy, ftrength, and defence^
That Rome can make againft them*
Enter a troop of Citizens.
Meh* Here come the clufters.—
And is Aufidius with him ? — You arc they
That made the airunwholefome, when you caft:
Your ftinking, greafy caps, in hooting at
Coriolanus* exile. Now he's coming-
And not a hair upon afoldier's head,
Which will not prove a whipi as many coxcombs^
Ai you threw caps up, will he tumble down^
And pay you for your voices. 'Tis no matter;
* And c&^ardly nMef^l I fufpeft that our author wrote — cmfmrd^
which he fomctimcs ufcs adjcttivcly- So, in King J^hn :
" Thait e'er the ^oni^ardhmd of Fnwjcc can win/'
* Thefii roar htm in agmn^^ As they h&oud at his deparuixt,
they will rmr at his return ; as he went out wirh fco&» he wiU
come back with lamenutbns* Joh!C^qk»
Vol. XII. O
;94 C 0 R I O L A N U a
If he could bum us all into one coal^
We have deferv'd it.
CiTp 'Fnith, we hear, fearful news.
: I. Cir. For mine own part^
When I faid» banifli hitn^ I faid»/twas pitf.
2. Cir. And fo did L
3. Cir. And fo did I ; and, to fay the truths h
did very many of us : That we did,! we\iid for the
befl: and though we willingly confcnted to his
banifhm^nt, yet it was againft otir wiUi..
Com. You are goodly things^ you voices I -
Men, ' You have made
Good work, you and your ciyl ^-^Sfidll us ^q cht
Capitol?
Com. O, ay ; what elfe? "' ' ■
[Exeunt Co fj[. an4\Mzs.
Sic. Go, mailers, get you home, be not difniay'd;
Thefe are a fide, that would be glad to have
This true, which they fo feem to fear. Go home»
And fhow no fign of fear.
1. Cir. The gods be good to us ! Come, maftertf,
let's home. I ever laid, we were i' the wrongs whm
we banifh'd him.
2. Cir. So did we all. But connte, let's home.
[Exemi Citizens.
Bru. I do not like this news.
Sjc. Nor I.
Bru. Let's to the Capitol: — 'Would, half my
wealth
* — jou and jour cry !] AUnding to a pack of honnds. So, ui
Hamlet, a company of players are contemptuouHy called a cty of
jdayen. Seep. 155, n. 3. Steevens.
This phrafe was not antiquated in the time of Milton^ who hii it
in his Faradi/e Loft, B. II :
** A rgr of hell-hounds never ceafingbark'd.'* Stiitivi.
C O R I O L A N U S. if5
Would buy this for a lie » ^^ ♦'^
Sic* Pi^ay* let us go. [Ex^mt,
^i
SCENE VII.
A Camp I ai a fmali diftancefrom Rome,
Enter A u n d r u s^ and bis Lieutenant.
Avf. Do they ftill fly to the Roman ?
LiEV. I do not know what witchcraft's in him;
but
Your foldicr^ ufe him as the grace 'fore mcat^
Their talk at table, and their thanks at end ;
And you are darkened in this a^liort, fir,
Even by your own.
AvF. I cannot help it now ;
Unlefs, by ufing means, I lame the foot
Of our defign. He bears himfelf more proudlier '
Even to my perfon, than I thought he would.
When firft 1 did embrace him i Yet his nature
In that^s no changeling; and I muft excufe
"UTiat cannot be amended.
LiEv. Yet I wifh, fir,
^(I mean, for your particular,} you had not
Join'd in commifTion with him: but either
^Had borne' the adion of yourfelf^ or clfe
To him had left it folely.
^ ^-^-fflf^nf protidrier — ] Wc have already had tn this play—
lOfC nmnhur, as in Timm &fAtbtnt^ AB. IV, fc. L we have mon
*£Dd^r; yet the modern editors read here — mompmndtj.
Ma LONE,
* Had ham^ — ] The old copy reads — ha^t borne ; which can-
not be right* For the emendation now made I am anfwerablc.
Malokb*
1 fuppofe the word — had^ or heruf^ to be alike fupcrlluou*, and
tbit the parage fbould bt thus rcgalaced :
O 2
10
CORIOLANUS,
AuF, I undcrftand thee well j and be thou fure.
When he fhall come to his account, he knows not
What I can urge again ft him. Although it feems.
And fo he thinks, and is no lefs apparent
To the vulgar eye, that he bears all things fairly^
And fhows good hulbandry for the Volcian ftatei
Fights dragon^like, and does achieve as foon
As draw his fword : yet he hath left undone
That, which Ihall break his neck, or hazard rnine^
Whene'er we come to our account
LiBu. Sit, I befeech you, think you hell carry
Rome?
Aur. All places yield to him ere he fits down ;
And the nobility of Rome arc his :
The fcnators, and patricians, love him too:
The tribunes are no foldiers ; and their people
Will be as rafli in the repeal, as hafty
To expel him thence, I think, hell be to Rome,
As is the ofprey ^ to the filh, who takes it
The aBkn ^fymrjtlf^ sr iljt tQ him
Hadhp itfuely. Steeveks.
♦ A$ it the ofprcy ] OJpny^ a kind of eagle, q^fraga^
Pop I.
We find in Michael Drayton's pGij&ihhn^ Son? 3c3cv* a full
account of the ^/prej^ which fhows the juilnefi and beauty of the
fimilc :
" The ^r^, oft here feen, though feldom here it breeds,
•■ Which over theiu ihc,;^^ no fooner doth efpy,
•* Butp l>ctwixt him and them hj an antipathy,
" Turning their bcHies yp, a5 though their death they faw^
*' ITscy ai his pleafure lie, to ftuffEis gluttonous maw/*
LAPTGTOir,
So* in The Battle rf Akaz^r^ ^594*
** I will provide thee with a princely effr^9
" That as Ihc flieth over fifti in |>ooIs^
** The filb ftiall turn their g;titt'ring bellies up,
** And thou ihak take thy hberal choice of all/'
Swch u the fabuloua hillory rf the ^/frrj^ i leani| howerer*
CORIOLANUS.^
197
I
I
By fovercignty of nature* Firft he was
A noble fervant to them ; but he could not
Carry his honours even : whether *twas pride.
Which out of daily fortune ever taints
The happy man; whether' defeft of judgement.
To fail in the difpofingof thofe chances
Which he was lord of; or whether nature.
Not to be other than one thing, not moving
From the cafque to the cuftiion, but commanding
peace
Even with the fame auflcrity and garb
As he controll'd the war: but, one of thefe^
(As he hath fpiccs of them all, not all,'
For I dare fo far free him J made him fear'c^
So hated, and fo banifh'd : But he has a merit.
To choke it in the utterance/ So our virtues
Uc in the interpretation of the time:
And powcri unto itfcif moft commendable.
from Mn Lambe's notes to the ancieat ojctrical legciKl of The
BaitU $/ FUddsn, that rhe c/firej is a " rare. Urge, blackii}! hawk,
with a long neclc, and blue legs. Its pity i$ fim, and it b fomc-
tim^ fecnnovering over the Tweed/' SteevbnSp
* i_^M twheihrr ^i^was pridt^
Wkiih 6itl tf daitj firtHHi ever mmtt
The hmppj nmn\ m^hether &c.] Au^fidius afligns three probable
reafona of ihe mifcarriage of Coriolanus ; pride, which eafity fol-
lows an uQinterrupced train of fuccefs ; unfkJlfulncTs to regnlace the
confeqtieiicei of bis own vidories ; a ftubborn uniformity of oat u re,
w^ich couJd not make the proper tranfitioo from the cafym t»r
helmet to the ittjbhf§ Or ehair of civil authritj j but a^cd with the
iaiDe defpoti^ in peace as in war, Johnson*
^ Athe hash fyku ef them slh W fl^A] i< e, not aU compile,
not all im their full extent * M A L o n i: ,
So, in The Wmitr'i Tale :
" . — > for all
" Thy by-gone fooleries were hutfpkis of it/* St 1 1 V r Ni.
^ — ^— he hat a merits
To fh^ke it m the uttframe.^ He has a merit, for no other put*
P0fe thaa to ckilroy it by boafting it. Job h 5o»,
03
Hath not a tomb fo evident as a chair
To extol what it hath done.*
One fire drives out otit fire ; one nail^ one nail ;
Rights by rights fouler/ ilrcngths by ftrengthS|dci
fail.
Ham mt a tomip ^ide^i as 41 chmr
T& txid nx)hai it hath di>ntj\ This is a common though r» bot
imfcrmbly ill cxpreficd. The fcnfe is, the virtue which delights
to commend icfelf, will find the fureft tomh in that chair whcrcia
It holds forth its own commendations :
'* unto itfd£ mofl comraenclables**
j» e. which hath a very high opinion of itfelfp WAReuRToif.
If our author meant to place Coriolanus in this thah^ he maft
have forgot his chancer, for, as Mr, M.. Mafon has jufily ob-
ferved, he has already bcca dcfcribed as one who wa* £b far ffoni
being a bci after, that he cow Id not endure (o hear ** his noihings
monlier'd/' But | rather believe, " in the utterance'* alludes not
to Coriolanus himfdf, but to the high encomiums pronounced oil
him by his friends \ and then the lines of Horace quoted in p. tgi^
may fcne a^ a comment on the palFage before us.
A pallkge in TW/h/ ^nd Crt£ida^ however, may be urged in fup*
port of Dr^ Warburton V interpretation 1
^* The worthinefs of pralfe diftatns his worthy
" If that the prai&'d himfclf bring the praife forih/'
Yet 1 ftill think that our poet dkl not mean to reprefeni Corio-
lanus as his own eulogiil^ MALOtii*
^ Rights by tightifmhr^ Thus ihc old copy. Modem editoit^
with lefe obfcurit)^ — ^Ri|btV by lighi fouler, &Ci i. e. What is al-
ready right, and is received as fuch, becomes lefs clear when fop-
poncd by fupernumerafy proofs. Such appears to me to be the
meaning of this pafiage, which may be j*pplied with too much jufticc
to many of my own comments on Shaklpearc^
Dr. Warburton would read — fiuUd^ itorafitiUr^ Fr. to trample
under foot. There is undoubtedly fuch a word in Sidney's Jfradia^
edit. 1655, p. 441; but it is not eafily applic^^ble to oikr pjrfent
fubjcA :
" Thy all-bcholdiug eye fo&rd with the fight/*
The fame word likewife occurs in the follow ing prorcrb^ — Tisri
dpih foul S>iiio» — u ^ txcet^ a m cuw^ari/m^ smd makfi ii m^ftar
Mfau axtdp&&rt St E EVENS*
Ri^hr^M &j right fimitr^ oaay weE mean, "That one ngbr or
titlcj when prodimdt tnakes another ic4 fair," ALL the ilmi
I
C O R I O L A N U S.
*99
Come, Iet*fi away. When^ Caius^ Rome is thine.
Thou art pooi *ft of all j then U^only art thou mine.
[Eneuni*
I
A C T V. S C E N E L
f
Rome, A puliick Place,
t
:,nter Menenius, Cominius, Stcinius, Brutus,
and Olbers*
I
Men. No^ ru not go : you hear, what he hath
faid.
Which was fometime his general ; who lov'd hinr
In a moft dear particular* He calPd me, father;
But whato'that? Go, you that banifli'd him,
f
fcDtraces Ln this fpceeh of Aufidius are obfcure, and fome of them
nonfcnficd. M. Mason.
I am of Dr* Warburton*s opiaionthat this it nonfenfc ; and would
jcad, with the flighted pofEblc variation from the old copies :
• Higki i^y rig^st foul are, flrengtht &c, RrrsoN.
Rights hy rightifQttkr^ ^'C*] Thcfc words, wUch are exhibited
cKafiJy as tlicy appear in the olJ copy* rdate, I apprehend, io the
wii.^ijij^if'jiihjijiing ietivrett AMfiaiuj and Camlanmt mi io the prstf^mg
^hjtrtaam f^fiutrm/tg the i!i fff^cl of txtravagmit encomlufnim At out
majit fays Aufiditis, drtua mi amthfr, fi the ftrcngtb &f Corkhms
fi^f! $t fkhJmJ hj mjfirrtigthf nnd hh prittnfiiim ykld i^ &t hers ^ iff s
fair pifhopt^ hut m*^rv pn^trfuL Aufidius has alrcidy declared that
he wiU either break ihe neck of Coriabnus, or his own; and now
jdti$, ihat/irr/- 'vel m/itna lic will deftrov him*
. 1 Mpea that the wotds^ ** Come {tt\ away^g- * origmallf coin-
pleted the preceding hcmiftich^ ** To extol what ii hath done;"
and that Shakfpcarc in the courfc of compofuioD, rcgardlef^ of
hb original train of thought, afterwards moved t!ie words — C^fta
Ui*$ mMm/» to their prefent fi mat ion, to complete tlie rhytning
couplet with which the fcenc coneludefe- Were tbeJe words fcplaced
in what perhaps was their original fituaiion, the pallage would at
orvct ciJubit the me amug already give n . M A l o N e,
04
aoo
CORIOLANUS.
A mile before his tent fall down, and kneel
The way into his mtrcy : Nay, if he coy*d '
To hear Cominius fpeak, Vll keep at homew
Com. He would not feem to know me.
Men. Do you hear?
Com* Yet one time he did call me by my name ;
I urg'd our old acquaintance, and the drops
That we have bled togethcn Coriolanus
He would not anfwer to : forbad all names;
,He was a kind of nothing, titlelefs,
Till he had forg'd himfelf a name i' the fire
Of burning RomCp
Mbn. Why, fo ; you have made cood worl
A pair of tribunes that have rack'd for Rome/
To make coals cheap : A noble memory ! ^
Com, I minded him, how royal 'twas to pardon
When it was lefs expeded : He reply 'd,
It was a bare petition ^ of a flate
T ^«_|^V._*] 1, e, condefceiuied anwUlmgtyt with rcferre*
coldncfs. SrtEVENs^
* ^^^—ikathm/e rack'd /pr R^mr,'\ To wr I means i& imrtwfi
fy fxaHiom, and in ihis fen fc the poet ufes it in othtt places ;
•• The coni IB on 5 haft thoo r^^Pd; ihc clergy's bags
•' Arc lank and lean with thy cxtorrions/'
1 belirvT it here means in general. Yon that have been fuch good
fte wards for the Roman people, ms to get their houfes burned ofct
tlieir heads, to ^ve them the expence of coals. Steepens.
9 ^^^m^mrj/] far mcnjoria!. See p. 174^ n* 7- Stebvihs.
* // lAmj a bare ^titim — ] A hare prHtkit^ I believe, means only
1 Wire pit it hff^ Coiiolanus weighs the confequcDce of verbal fup-
.pUcadon againA that of adiuaJ puniOiment, Sec VoL IXl, p. xjSt
^,6* Steevens,
I have no doubt bot we fhould read, —
It was a h/tfi petition &^c.
meanbg that it was unworthy the dtnxity of a ftate, to pctttioAi
man whom they had banifhed. M, Makoh.
In King Hmty IF, ?, I, and in Timm GfAthem^ the word ^«rr
b ufed in ihc fenfc of ihm^ cafily fcgn through | having only a flight
C O R I O L A N U a
20I
To one whom they had punifli*d
• Men, Very well:
Could he fay lefs ?
Com. I offered to awaken his regard
For his private friends : His anfwer to me was,
.He could not (lay to pick them in a pile
Of noifome, mufty chaff: He faid, 'twas folly^
For one poor grain or two^ to leave unburn t^
And ft ill to nofe the offence-
Men* For one poor grain
©r two? I am one of thofe j his mother, wife,
IHis child, and this brave fellow too, we are the
grains :
Tou are the mufty chaff j and you are fmelt
Above the moon : We muft be burnt for you.
;^ Sic. Nay, pray, be patient: If you refufc your
aid
|In this fo never-heeded help, yet do not
Upbraid us with ourdiftrefs. Bur, fure, if you
Would be your country's pleader, your good tongue,
kMore than the inftant army we can make,
^ight ftopour countryman,
' Men. No; 111 not meddle*
Sic. I pray you,' go to him,
, Mbh. Whatibouldldo?
t Brv. Only make trial what your love can do
For Rome, towards Marc i us.
* Men. Well, and fay that Marciua
Return me, as Cominius is returned.
pbpcHicUl covering* Yet, I confefs, this ifitcr|>reiation m ill hardly
hppiy bcr^. In the former of the parages alluded lo, the editor of
|hc firil folio fubftituted ^nfi for Bare^ impraperl)^. In rhe paflkge
before us perhaps ha/e was the authQur's word. Ma lone.
II ' Iprajjati^ Sec] The pronQUJi pcrfonal— ^/j h waadng in the
pjd copy* $rtE\ts$M
\
doa
C O R 1 O L A N U a
Unheard j what then ? —
Bur as a difcontented friend, grief-fliot
With his unkindnefs ? Say't be fo? ,
Sic. Yet your good will
Muft have that thanks from Rome, after the mea-
fure
As you intended well,
Mfjtf- I'll undertake it :
I think, he'll hear me> Yet to bite hb lip^
And hum at good Cominius, much unhearts mc.
He was not taken well t he had not din'd ; ^ « ^
The veins unfilled, our blood is cold^ and then
We pout upon the morning, are unapt
To give or to forgive ; but when we have ftufF'd
Thefe pipes, and thefe conveyances of our blood
With wine and feeding, we have fuppler fouls
Than in our prieft^Iike fafts :* therefore Til watch
him
TilJ he be dieted to my requeft*
And then IMl fet upon him*
Bru, You know the very road into his kindnefs.
And cannot lofe your way.
Men, _ Good faith, I'll prove him*
^ H? wm nat takem *meil\ ^e kad mi dmd: &^c,] This obiervm-
tion is not only from nature^ and finely exprefTed, but admirably
befics tbe mouth of ooe, who in the beginning of tbc play^ad loU
las^ thai he loved convivial doings. Warbo^to:^. j
Mr, Pope fecms to have borrowed this idea. See Epill. I, tef*
" Pcrhapi was fick, m love, or h^ nm dmd^'*
^ — ■ ■ oar prieft-Hkc faib : } I am afraidt that when Sla Alcfpenre
introduced this com;parifon» the religtous abftinencc of modern, not
sndeni Rome, vraa inhb thoughts* STEtviies,
Priefts xre forbid, by the dTfcipline of the church of Rome, m
broik their &(t bofbre the celebEatioE) of ma&, which niill tike
place after fun-rifCi and before n^id-day. C, . . ,
CO RIO L A-NU^S?
Speed how it wiU. I fhall erelong have knowledge
Of my fuccefsJ [£^i/<
CoM^. He'll never hear him*
Sic. Not?
Cojj. I tell you, he does fit in gold/ his eye
Red as 'twould burn Rome; and his injury
The gaoler to his pity. I kneel'd before him:
*Twai very faintly he faid, Ri/n difmifs*d me
Thus, with his fpeechlefs hand : What he would
do,
He fent in writing after me; what he would not.
Bound with an oath^ to yield to his conditions : ^
Of mj fuccf/jt.] There could be no doubt but Menenius himfclf
would foou have knowledge of his own facccfs. The fcnfc therefore
rcqiiiics ihat we Hiould re^d.
Speed how it will, you (hall ere long have knowledge
Of my fucccfs. M Masom.
Tliai Mencnius at>wf ti^r woald have knowledge of his fuccefii
Is ccftain ; but whai he a/TertSj h, that he would ere img ^hx that
knowledge Ma lone.
All Mcncoms deftgns to fay, may be — ifiaii mt be ktpt hug tm
Jmjpinet as to the refult of ray cmbatfy, Steevins,
* / ttUym^ he datsfit m sdd^ Hc is cathxoned in all the pomp
aod pfide of imperial fplendoiir^
,— — ^tHr4i0fe9 ^ H^n* Horn* J oh N s o K.
So, lA the old tranilfltioQ of Piutiinht *' • he was fct in hit
chajfe of ftate, with a man'eUous and unfpcakabk majcftie/'
ShakfpGAre ha^ a foraewhat ilntilar idea in King Henty f^IlL Ad L
lie. i:
• * AU c linq u ant, aii M g&ld^ iikt hmtktn gods* *' S T £ c v c Kf .
I Bound nviiif nit oafh to yuld /© his coftditkfis ;] This lA appa*
rctttly wtimg. Sir T* Hmmti^ and Dr, Warbniton after him^
n^d:
Bmmd ^ith an oath nbtjhidt$ new tawdithwH
Tlicy tnight ha\T read more fmoothly ;
toyieid no news} condia^tti.
But due whole fpeccb is in confufion, and I fufped fomethtng
Jefi <ID£» 1 Hiould read :
-04
C O R I O L A N U &
So, that all hope is vain,
Unlcfs his noble mother, and his wife;
Hifint in ivrUittg aftff ; *whai h 'w&uid trsr,
Emnd 'With an &a(b^ Toy kid i& hh condUism^ —
Here ii, I think* a cbafm. The fpcakcr's purpofe fccms to be
this ; To jkid t& hh e^ttdt'fiimi is ruiu, and betier catmot be ob*
taincd , /o that ail ho/e ts 'uam, J o H if so N ,
I fuppofc, Cofiolanuj roeanSi that ht had fworn to give way lo
tiic cQJtdiihmg into which the ingratitude of his countrj- had forced
him. F^KtiEU*
The amendment which I have to propoft, is a veiy flight devii-
tion from the text — ihc reading " in bis conditions/* mflcad of
•' f<? his conditions," — To jiM, in this place, means to rrla^, and
is ufcd in the fame fcufe^ in the next fcene but onCj by Coriolanoi
lumfelft where, fpeaking of Menenius, he fays,
'* ■■■ to grace him only*
" That thought he could do morCj a very link
" I have jte/ftcd too :"■
What Cominius means to fay, is, '* Tliat Coriolanus fcnt in
wriiinf after him the conditions on which he would agree to make
a peace, and bound himfelf b)r an oath not to depart from them*'*
The additional negative which Hauroer and Warburton wiih to
introduce, is not only unneceflary, but would deilroy the fcnfc i
for tlie thing which Coriolanus had fworn ttot to do, was to jie^ i
h his cmditimi* M* MaSox*
What ht ivoHid do, i. e. the conditions oo which he offered to <
morn, he fcnt in writing after Comini us, intending that he (hould
have carried them to Menenius. WBai he H\^u!d mt^ L c. his re-
folution of neither dif miffing his/nidiers^ not caphulatmg with R&me*t
meihankhf in cafe the terms he pixfcribed Ihoold fe lefufed, be
bound hirofdf by an Oath to maintain- If thefc conditions were
admitted, the oath of cou ife, being grounded on that proTiib> |
mxx'Ajield to them, and be cancelJedp ^fhat this is the proper f
of the pflage, is obvious from what follows :
Cer, ** if you'd aflc, remember this before;
** The things I have foiefwom to grant, may nevcf
*' Be held by you denials. Do not bid me
'* Difmijs my Jddiin^ or capitulate
" Again wiih Rome's mechanicks/'— Heklit-
I believe, rwo half lines have been loll ; that B^und mnik m am^ '<
was the begintiing of one line^ and t^ yield to his tatfdiikni the con*
clufion of the next. See VoL VIL p- 41 f , n* j* Perhaps, hoH>
C O R I O L A N U S.
aoj:
Who, as I hear, mean to folicit him
For mercy to his country/ Therefore, let's herice>
And with our fair entreaties hafte them on.
ever, f&j^ieid to his cmjiikm^ means — to yh\A mfy to his conditions ;
referring ihefe words to mth : that hu oaih was irrevocable, and
ihoM yield to nothing but ftich a rcvcrfc of fcnunc as he could not
icfiit. Maloke,
* Jl?, ihai uli h^pe is ^aijtf
Unltft his mhU mQther^ ^mi hh njnifi \
Wh^^ m I hear^ mean tQ /alkit him
Fur m^rfjf iG his ccmstrj, ] Unhff his mother tmd ot^^^—^O
what ? The fentence is impcrfe^ Wc (hould read ;
Force mercj t& his tmntryt
and then all is right. WAasuETOK.
I>r, Warhunon's emendatioii Is furely harfh, and may be ren-
dered unneccffar)' by printing the paflTa^e thus :
mran i& faUdt him
For mfrcj to his CQttni^^^— ^Therefore ^ S:C,
This liberty h the more jaftifiable, becaufe^ as fooa as the fe-
maining hope croflcs the imagination of Mcnenius, he might fup-
prefs what he was going to add, through hatb to try the facceis
of a bft expedient.
It hafl b^n propofed to me to read :
* Sq fhni ail hopt ii *vaift^
Unit/s in his m^k m!>ther mtd his nx^tft^ kc*
Jn hk^ abbreviated /«rV, might have becnea^ly miJlakcn by fucK
inaccurate printers. Steevens*
No amendment is wanting, the fcnfc of this paffcge being com-
plete without 11, Wc fay every day in convcrfation, — You arc
my only hof«— He is my onlyhope^ — ^itiikad of — My only hope it
in yott, or m him. The fame mode of expreEon occura in this
fentenccj and occasions the obfcurity of it, M* Mason.
That thli pafTage has been confidercd as difficult, futprlfcs me.
Many pntlages in thefe plays have been fufpct^ed to be corrupt,
merely bccaufc the language was peculiar to Shakfpeare, or the
phrafcology of that age, and not of the prcfenr ; and this furely la
one of thcm» Had he written*— his noble mother and his wife are
oor oni^ h^pft — his meaning could not have been doubted; and 1%
not this prccifely what Cominlus fays I — So that %vc have now no
other hope, nothing to rely upon l^ui bis mother and his wife,
who, ai 1 am told, mean, 4c. Ufthfi ii here ufed for exctpu
MAi*oef£«
toft CO RI'OL A NUS;
S C E N E . IL
^n advanced poft of the Volcian Camp before Rome*
^he Guard, at their Stations.
Enter to them, MawfiMus.
1. G. Stay : Whence are you ?
2. G. Standi and go back/
Men. You guard like men ; 'tis well : But, by
your leave,
I am an officer of flate, and come
To fpeak with Coriolanu^.
1 . G. From whence ? » "
Men. From Rome.
i.G. You may not pafs, you mull return; pur
general
Will no more hear from thence.
2. G. You'll fee youlr Rome embraced With fire,
before
You'll fpeak with Coriolanus.
Men. Good my friends^
If you have heard your general talk of Rome»
And of his friends there, it is lots to blanks^^
. ^ Stand, and go lack.] Thb deleave meafare might be
pkted by leading— Standi and go back agafn. Ste bYirs.
* From mfbence f] As the word— ^ro« is not only needkfi, boC
injures the meafnre, it might be fairly omitted^ being piobablr
can^t by the compofitor's eye from the fpeech imm^iattiy fol-
lowing. Stbbvens.
* lots to blanh,'\ A lot here is afrizt. Johnsow.
lot, in French^ fignifies frizt, Le gros lot. The capital Arte*
e O R 1 O L A N u a
lot
My name hath touch 'd your ears : it is Menenitr^.
I. G. Be it foi go back; the virtue of youf
name
Is not here palTablc.
Men. 1 tell thee, fellow.
Thy general is my lover ^' I have been
The book of his good afts, whence jnen have read*
His fame unparallerd, haply, amplified;
For I have ever verify 'd my friends,
(Of whom he's chicfj with all the fize that verity^
I believe Dr. Johnfon here miftakes* MencDiUS^ I imagmt,
only means to fa\% that it is more than an eqttal chance that his
name has touch a their ears. Lsn were the term in our author 'i
time for the total irnmbcr of tickeis in a kmry, which took iti
Dame from thence* So, in the Continuation of Stowe's Chronicle,
1615* p. 1001 1 " Out of which lottery, for want of fillirig, by
the number of Uts, there were then taken out and thrown away^
threescore thoufand blanks, without abating of any one prize/*
llielots were of courfc more numerous than the blanks. If/af
figni£ed /r^^ aa Dr* Johnfon fuppofed, there being in every lot-
Icf)' many more blanks than prizes » Menenius rnuH be fnppofed to
fey, that ihcchamc of his name having reached their ears was ^ttf
finall; which certainly is not his meaning. Malone^
Lau i0 iUwh 11 a pbrafe equii^alent to another in A\ Rkhardlll:
' * Jll iht *tv(fr/d la rn^hing**' StbiVEKj,
' Whe general if my lover :] This alfo was the language of Shak-
fpeare's time* See Vol. V» p. 4861 n* 4* Ma lone.
• The l&&k Gfiis go&d aBi^ ^'hence mm irsve nai &C-] So, in
Fftidti :
*' Her face the boek of praifes, where is read" &e*
Agtin, in M^cheih :
" Your face* my thane, is as a book, where men
** May Head" &c. Stiivens,
^ /^r / J^£tvr fn^r verify*d mj frknds^ *
-^— *itti/j^ M tht fi%€ that verity ^r.] To w^, is fa efiaS
$i^ fy tifttmmr^. One may fay with propriety, kt ireught fatft
^mtnefftt to verify hh title^ Shakfpcarc confidcred the word with
his ufual laxity, as importing rather irfltmofij than trtiik^ and only
meant to fay, I bore witncfi t9 mj friendt nuttk uU tht fi^£ ihai i«r-
ao8
C O R I O L A N U S-
Would without lapfing fuffer : nay, fometimcs.
Like to a bowl upoa a fubtle ground,^
I have tumbled part the throw ; and in his praife
Have, almoft, ftamp'd the leafing;* Therefore,
fellow,
I mull have leave to pafs*
I* G- *Faith, fir, if you had told as many lies in
I mul! remark » that to magnify, %nifies to exah or tniffrgf^ but
not njeceflkrily to enhrge beyond the truth. Johkson.
Mr< Edwan^s would read ^p^yr^i^*/; but Dr* Johnfon'* eatpb-
nation of the old word renders aU change ynnecdTar}^,
To "Viri^ majr, however, fignify to di/piaj. Thus la an no*
ciatt metrical pedigiee tn poHemon of the late duchc& of North-
umberland, and quoted by Dr. Percy in The Relives 4/ mtciati
$MgiiJh P^ttyt Vol, J- p, Z79, 3d edit.
" In hy5 fchdd did fchync a mone ^t^/jhtg her light,"
Steevews*
The meaning (to give a fomcwhat more ocpanded comment) Is,
« 1 have ever fpoken the truth of my friends, and in fpeaking of
them have gone as far as 1 could go conMently with truth : f
have not only told tfie truths but the whole truth, and wiih the
mod favourable colouring that I could give to theii adions^ widiouE
tf atifgrefling the bounds of truth*^' Ma lone,
^ ^— */<?)* fl fubtk ^rokfiiit] Stthtk means /jjmiht, ie^L So,
Ben Jonfon, in one of his mafques :
*' THyDs'& brcail is counted the /^M^ bowling ground in all
Tartarus/'
Suhtit^ however, may mean artificialij nnle^el, as tcmif bowl*
ing^-greens are. Steivini.
May k not have its more ordinary acceptation, de£etifni?
Malohc.
• and m hh ^nei/t
Hin^, aim^Ji^ ftamp'd the leafing, ] i* c- given the /anShm of
troth to my very fxaggtratimtit This appears to be the fenfc of the
paflage, from what u afterwards faid by the z. Guard*
*' Howfoevcr you have been his /mr, as you fay you have*"— •
Lta^ng occurs in our Tranflation of the Bible* See Pfalm. iv. t.
Hex LEY,
i£a*iv, atmofi^ ftamp'd th leaAng :] I have almoft given the la
fuch a lanOjOQ as to render it (umm^ M a lo n i ,
I
CORIOLANUS.
20^
is behalf, as you have utter *d words in your own,
ou Ihould not pafs here: no> though it were as
virtuous to lie, as to live chaftly. Therefore, go
back.
Men. Pr*ythce, fellow, remember my name h
Menenius, always fadionary on the party of your
eneral.
G. Howfoever you have been his liar, (as you
y, you havej I am one that^ telling true under
im, mull fay, you cannot pafs. Therefore, go
ack-
Men, Has he dined, can*ft thou tell ? for I would
ot fpcak with him till after dinner,
I, G. You are a Raman, are you ?
Men. I am as thy general is.
I* G. Then you (hould hate Rome, as he docs.
Can you, when you have pufli'd out your gates
khe very defender of them, and, in a violent popu-
plr ignorance, given your enemy your fliield, think
to front his revenges with the eafy groans ' of old
jft omen, the virginal palms of your daughters,* or
^ ith the palfied interceflion of fuch a decay'd do-
lant * as you feem to be ? Can you think to blow
' i ^y groans — — ] u c. flight, incoafiderablcp So, in
MenfyVh P. II:
" ihcfc faults are eafy^ quickly anfwcr'd,*' STE£VBlf£«
^ ihw 'virgmai pfllms of your Ja/ighterig] The adjefliv^c vir-^
fm&l b ufed in Woman h a Wetttherscckt iSizi
" Lav*d in a bath of contrite ^irgmal tears/'
Jkgaln, in Spcnfer^s Faerie ^ef», E. U. c, ix :
" She to ihcm made with mildncfs 'uirginaL*' Ste£venSp
Again, in Kifig Hm^y VL P* 11 :
*• >— tears 'uirgimal
** Shall be to me even k% the dew to fire," Ma lone.
* — — iT 4^f^Vdotant — ] Thus the old copy. Modem editors
bave read — d&mrd, S T e e V s 21 s.
Vol. XII. P
1
210 C O R I O L A N U S.
out the intended fire your city is ready to flame in,
, with fuc^ weak breath as this ? No, you are de-
ceived ; therefore, back to Rome, and prepare for
your execution : you are condemned, our general
nas fworn you out of reprieve and pardon.
Men. Sirrah, If thy captain knew I were here,
he would ufe me with eftimation.
2. G. Come, my captain knows you not.
Men. I mean, thy general.
1. G. My general cares not for you. Back, I Iky,
go, left I let forth your half pint of blood ; — back,
—that's the utmoft of your having: — back.
Men. Nay, but fellow, fellow, —
Enter Coriolanus and Avwidivh.
Cor. What's the matter?
Men. Now, you companion,^ PlI fay an errand
for you ; you fhall know now, that I am in eftinuu
tion; you (hall perceive that a Jack guardant'
cannot office me from my fon Coriolanus : guefi,
but by my entertainment with him,^ if thou ftand'ft
^ tompanion^'] Sec p. 171, n. 5. St e evens.
* a Jack guardant — ] This term is equivalent to onie ftill
in nfe — a Jacl in office \ i. e. one who is as proud of his petty coo-
fcqucnce, as an excife-man. Steevens.
Sec Vol. VIII. p. 527, n. 7. Malone.
^ guefit hut by my enteriahtment <ivUb bim^'] [Old ropjr fjtf]
I read, Guejs by my entertahiment luith him^ If thou ftandtft net i iSt
fiate of hanging, Johnson.
Mr. Edwards had propofed the fame emendation in his MS.
notes already mentioned. Steevens.
The fame correftion had alfo been made by Sir T. Hanmer.
Thcfc editors, however, changed hut to by,, It is much more pro-
bable that by fliould have been omitted at the prefs, than coafbuaded
with^«r» MAtoM«
C O R I O L A N U S,
211
not i' the ftate of hanging, or of fomc death more
long in fpedatorfliip, and crueller in fufFeringi be^
hold now prefemlj% and fvvoon for what's to come
upon thee. — The glorious gods Ik in hourly fyuod^
about thy particular profperity, and lore thee no
worfe than thy old father Menenius does ! O^ my
fon ! my fon ! thou art preparing fire for us ;
look thee, here*3 water to quench it. I was hardly
moved to come to thee : but being aflured, none
but myfclf could move thee, I have been blown
out of your gates with fighs ; and conjure thee tq
pardon Rome, and thy petitionary countrymen*
The good gods aflTuage thy wrath, and turn the
dregs of it upon this varlet here; this, who, like a
block, hath denied my accefs to thee-
Cob. Away !
Mem* How ! away?
Cor* Wife, mother, child, I know not. My af*
fairs
Are fervantcd to others : Though I owe
My revenge properly,* my remilhon lies
In Volcian breafts. That we have been familiar,
Ingrate forget fulnefs ftiall poifon, rather
Than pity note how much. — Therefore, be gone.
Mine ears againfl: your fuits are ftronger, than
Your gates again ft my force. Yet, for I lov'd thee,*
Take thii along; I writ it for thy fake,
[Gives a letier*
' 1 — 7%egltrims g^isjit m hmrty Jyn^d ^-] So, in Ftvitiet :
" The fcnatc houfc of plaj^ets ait did fit" &c, Steevius,
Mj rtt^ng^ /np/^r/)?,] Iliough I have a ^itliar right in rcvcngt,
in the power of forgtvcQcfa tl^e VolcLriD& are conjoined.
JoUliiiOV.
« for / io^*d /ivf,] u e» becaufe* So^ in Oihtth :
** -^— Haply, /fl< 1 am black ^^/' Srisvi^v^i,
P 3
m
CORIOLANUS.
And would have fent it- Another word, Menenius„
I will not hear thee fpeak. — This man, Aufidius^
Was my bclov'd in Rome: yet thou behold'ft —
AdF* You keep a conftant temper*
ip G, Now, fir, is your name Menenius,
2. G* 'Tis a fpell, you fee, of much power: You
know the way home again.
I. G, Do you hear how we arc flient* for keep-
ing your greatnefs back?
2* G. What caufe, do you think, I have to fw^oon I
Men. I neither care for the world, nor your ge-
neral : for fuch things as you, I can fcarce think
there's any, you arc fo flight. He that hath a w ill
to die by himfelf,^ fears it not from another. Let
your general do his worft. For you, be that you
are, long ; and your mifery increafc with your age I
I fay to you, as I was faid to, Away ! [£a7/.
1, C, A noble fellow, I warrant him.
2. C. The worthy fellow is our general: He it
ihc rock, the oak not to be wind-lliaken, [Exeml*
• i^o^ mri art fhent — ] Bhent Is hf^vgh H i^firuBkwi
Shent docs not mean hranght to dffiru&hn^ h'at /Earned ^ di/gr^^idt
fnadc qjhfimtd ^f him/eif. See the old ballad of TB/ Ildr ofLimm^
in the fceond voiumc of Rfliquei nfnmitnt Engli/h Poetry ;
" SotdyJ^Mt wiih this rebuke
" Sorely J^efti was the heir of LinEie ;
"His heart, I wis, Kas near-to braft
•* With guilt !Lnd forrow, Oianie and finnc*" Pii.c
See Vol. IIL p, J45» n, 9, Steivi ks.
Rebuked, rcpriroanded. Cole in hb l^n Di^ >^79» rendof
ivj&citd, hirepo^ It IS fo ufed by many of our old writers.
Malohi.
9 ^-^ bj kim/fi/^\ L c, by hit own bandi, Malohi.
: i
1
CORIOLANUS.
2IJ
SCENE IIL
Tjbe Teni of Coriolanus.
£w/^T CoaroLANus, Aurinius, ami Oibers,
Cor, We will before the walls of Rome to-mor-
row
Set down our hoft. — My partner in this adtion.
You muft report to the Volcian lords^ how plainly
I have borne this bufinefs/
AuF. Only their ends
You have refpeded ; ftopp'd your ears againft
The general fuit of Rome ; never admitted
A private whifpcr^ no, not with fuch friends
That thought them furc of you.
Cor. This laft old man.
Whom with a crack 'd heart I have fent to Rome,
Lov'd me above the mcafure of a father;
Nay, godded me^ indeed* Their lateft refage
Was to fend him : for whofe old love^* I have
(Though I iTiow^d fourly to him,J once more offcr'd
The firft conditions, which they did refufe.
And cannot now accept^ to grace him only.
That thought he could do morei a very little
I have yielded too : Freih embaHies, and fuits.
Nor from the ftate, nor private friends, hereafter
I b^fi^e komr tha hufimju'\ TLic b, h&'w ^fcnlj^ h^^ rcmattly
from ariiti ee o r c o n ccal tnc n c, Johnson-
I ^^^^fit twks/r M Uve,] We have a correfpcmding exprcfiiaii
in Kiirj Le/tr:
** to njLfh-^fe jQung h^ve
" The viuess of Fiance/' kz. Steevens.
414
C O R I O L A N U S,
Will I lend car to, — Ha ! what fhout is this ?
[Sboui wiibin.
Shall I be tempted to infringe my vow
In the fame time 'tis made? 1 will not,^ —
Enter in mourmng balits, Virgtha, Voiumnia,
leading young Mmcius^ Valeria, and Aiiendamis.
My wife comes foremofl: ; then the honoured mould
Wherein this trunk was fram'dj and in her hand
The grandchild to her blood* But, out, afFedlion I
All bond and privilege of nature, break !
Let it be virtuous, to be obftinate, —
What is that curt'fy worth ? or thofe doves* eyes/
Which can make gods forfworn ? — I melt, and am
not
Of ftronger earth than others. — My mother bows i
As if Olympus to a molehill fhould
In fupplication nod : and my young boy
Hath an afpcd of intcrceflion^ which
Great nature cries, Deny not, — Let the Voices
Plough Rome, and harrow Italy ; Ml never
Be fuch a gofiing to obey inftindt; but ftand.
As if a man were author of himfelf.
And knew no other kin.
FiRG* My lord and hufband I
Cor* Thefe eyes are not the fame I wore in
Rome.
ViRG. The for row , that delivers us thus chang'd^
Makes you think fo/
* '^^thafe d^vei* e^tt^l So, in the Canticles, v. jj: " — bii
eyes arc as the ejrf ^fiimMu^^ Again, in The Inurprfmem oftht
mtrntt of goiidfi and gfiddpjptt &c» Prinicd by Wynkyn de Wordt •
He fpeaks of Venus ;
" Cryfpe was her fkyn, her eytu tdumhjnt^^ SteiT£KS«
* ^ke/Qrr^fWi. ih^t dfti'U^rf us ihm changed,
MaJus jm ikmk /o,^ Virgilk makes a voIuBtny jnifintcrpr**
CORIOLANUS.
415
Cor.
Like a dull ador now.
I
I
I
I
I have forgot my part> and I am out,
Even to a full difgrace,^ Befl: of my flefti,
Forgive my tyranny ; but do not fay,
For that. Forgive our Romans. — O, a kifs
Long as my exile, fwcet as my revenge!
Now by the jealous queen of heaven/ that kifs
I carried from thee, dean and my true lip
Hath virgin 'd it e'er fmce*^ — You gods ! I prate,^
And the moft noble mother of the world
Leave unfaluned: Sink, my knee, i' the earth j
Of thy deep duty more impreflion (how
Than that of common fons.
FoL. O, ftandupblefs^d!
Whilft, with no fofter cufhion than the flint,
I kneel before thee; and unproperly
Show duty, as miftakcn all this while
Between the child and parent, [kneels.
Cor/ What is this?
Your knees to me ? to your corrected fon ?
tation of her bufband** wordf. He favs^ TBeff tynare not fhe/amr,
meanings that he faw things ^hh othrr ej^i^ or other ^/^^'//Wj.
She U>'s hold on the word tyes, to mm hi* attention on ihcir prc*
Libit appca ranee, J o h n so pt .
1 Cor. Like a dull a^r msFW^
i k&^^t forgot mj'^ part, and I am sm^
E*v€ti t^ a fuU iifgmtt.\ ^io, in our author's ijd ^ff^ivf/.'
mt " As an anptrffB adpr en the ft age,
y *• Who with his fear h />*/ hijtdthh part^ — *** MALOltt.
* AVxu hj thf jfahm fuetfi ^f htm,*fn^ That is, hy Jmt^^ the
g;itafdian of marriage, and confeqaently the avenger of connubial
per6d>v Jom^sok.
1 / praiej The old copy — I pmj* The merit of the alteration
is Mr. TbcobaU'i. So, m Othflk : " IpmttU out af falhion/*
P4
ti6
CORIOLANUS.
Then let the pebbles on the hungry beach '
Fillip the ftars ; then let the mutinous wind*
Strike the proud cedars *gainft the fiery fun;
Murd'ring impoflibility> to make
What cannot be, flight work.
FoL. Thou art my warrior;
I holp to frame thee,^ Do you know this lady ?
Cor. The noble fifler of Publicola/
The moon of Rome ; chafle as the icicle/
That's curded by the froft from pureft fnow,
* < m fbc hungry hf^r/r ] T once idly conjcdlurcd that
ou r 3u thor wrote^ — the a»g rj beach* M a l o n c -
The huntry beach is ihtJfeHk umpralifiii beach. Eveiy wrjfrr on
huflbandiy Jpcaks of i&ji'3ff*7 foiJ, and hungry ^^s[c\% and what is
more barren than the iands on the fca fhore ? If it be neccflary to
feck for a more recondite meaning, — the (hore, on which vcilcb
are llranded, is as httwgty for fliipwrccks, as the waves that caft
them on the (hore» ShaKfpeare, on this occafion mean I to repreifent
the beach as a mean, and not as a magnihcent tihjrd. Steevek**
The beach hungry, or eagers for fhipwrecks. Such, 1 think* la
the meanin|* So, in T^^fifih- Night :
** mine is all as hmgrym ihtfea,** Ma lone.
^ I holp/^/wwc tbee^^ Old copy — ho^^ Corre^ud by Mr, Pope*
This h one of many inftances, in which corruptions have ariicn
from the tranfcribcr's ear deceiving him. Ma lone.
* Th$ mhU Jffler (if PMi^ia^^ Valeria, mcihinks, ihould aot
have been brought only to fill up the proccflion withoiit fpeaking.
Johnson,
It is not improbable J but that the poet defigncd the following
words of Volumnia for Valeria, Names arc not unfrcqucnily'
eonfoundcd by the player -editors ; and the lines that compofe thia
fpcech might be given to the fifterof Publicola without impropriety,
Jt may be added, that though the fchemc to folicit Conolanus waa
originally propofed by Valeria, yet Plutarch hai allotted her no
addrcfs when Ihe appears with his wife and mother on this occafion,
Steevens,
^ ihafie m the icicle, ^fJ I cannot forbear to cite the
following beautiful pa0age from Shirley's Oenihmnn rf VtmctM ii|
which the praife of a lady's chaJlity is likewife attempted :
^* ^^^thm urt thaflc
*' 4i the n^hitt d^rwn ofhemi^n^ n^hqft fmihfrt fl^yf
CORIOLANUS.
317
I
I
r
And hangs on Dian's temple : Dear Valeria!
FoL. This is a poor epitome of yours/
Which by the interpretation of full time
May ftiow like all yourfclf.
Cor. The god of foldiers^
With the confent of fupreme Jove/ inform
Thy thoughts with noblenefs; that thou may'ft
prove
To (hame unvulnerable, and ftick i' the wars
Like a great fea^mark, Handing every flaw/
I
I
** Ufmi the 'wmgs ef a teld ^i/tfer*i gak,
** TremhiittF wfh fffir fo touch tP imfuTit earth. ^*
Some Roman lady of the name of Faieria^ was one of the great
examples of chaftity held out by writers of the middle zgt. So>
in The Dmhgfi ^f Cnatttret muraiyfiii^ bL 1. no date : The lecoundc
was called t'^Uria : and when in4U)'ficioft was made of her for what
ctwfc ihe ti^ke norte the fecoandc hufhonde, flic fayde'* ^c. Hence
porhapa ShaJcfpcart's esttravagant praife of her namefake^ cbaflity.
Steevens,
Mr, Pope and all the fubfequedt editors read curdled \ hut mrditd
h tbc reading of the old copy » and was the phrafeolo^ of Shak^
foesuc's timei So, m M'j ^wfil that e/tdx 'well," — '*! am now,
ift muddied in fortune** mood.'* We fhould now write muddtd^
10 caEprcfs begrimed t pointed wth mud*
Agmn^ in Cjmltelm^ :
" Thai drug-damn *d Italy hach &Mt-cra/tftdhmJ*
Ma LONE,
I believe, both curdi^, muddiied, &c^ are mere falfe fpellingi
of curded, mudded^ &c, Mudded is fpelt, as at prefent, in The
Twmffft^ firft foliop p. 13, coL 1, three lines from trie bottom; and
fo U crafted, in Corklnnus^ firfl foL pv 24^ CoL 2* Ste EVENS,
4 epiiome ef Y<mi%^^ I read;
^it&mr &f you,
Ak rpitame ^f ym, which, enlarged Bj ihe eommmtarlei 9f ttme,
aifty e<]ual you in magnitude. Joknson«
Thongh Dr. Johnfon's reading is more elegant, 1 have not the
Icail fafpicion here of any corruption^ Maloni.
i }Fith ihe con/en t of ftfprcme J&i^e,!^ This IS infefted With greit
decorum. Jupiter was ihe tutelary God of Rome, WAitatjRTON.
^ Lik^ a great fea^mtirk^flaHdi^i rvfry flaw,] That b* every ^w/?,
Cf ©0' Jl^f'f^* JoM IT JSO N.
^
91l
C O R I O L A N U S.
And faving thofe that eye thee !
FoL. Your knee, firiah.
CoK, That's my brave boy.
Vol. Even he, your wife, this lady, and myfelf,
Arc fuitors to you*
Cor, I befeech you, peace :
Or, if you'd aflc, remember this before i
The things* I have forfworn to grant, may never
Be held by you denials. Do not bid me
Difmifs my foldiers, or capitulate
Again with Rome's mechanic ks : — Tell me not
Wherein I feem unnatural ; Defire not
To allay my rages and revenges, with
Your colder rcafons*
FoL. O, no more, no more !
You have faid, you will not grant us any thing;
For we have nothing elfe to a(k, but that
Which you deny already : Yet we will ailc ;
That, if you fail in our requeft,^ the blame
May hang upon your hardnefs ; therefore hear us.
Cqr. Aufidius, and you Voices, mark; for we'll
Hear nought from Rome in private, — Your rcqucft ?
Vol, Should we be filent and not fpeak^ our rai-
ment,''
I
So, in our author's % 1 6th Sonnet :
•* O no ! it is an f^tf'fixtd marl^
** I'hat Mt OH Um^Jix, and h nrver ^ha/* MALoiri.
7 That J if you fall in mr rtauejt,\ That IS, if yo» fail to grant
19 our rcqucft ; if jjou are found Jk if wg or deficient in lave to youf
counrry^ and affc^iori to your friends^ when our requeft fhilLfaave
been made to you, the blame, kc, Mr» Pupc^ who altered erciy
phn\fe that was not conformable to moticrn phrafeology, c^anged
jfca to isj/i and his alteration has been adopted in all the fubfc^iueal
editions. Ma to he.
• Sbmid *we ht JiUnt and ml Jptak^ mr raiment^ &C,] *' Th«
i|)Cecbe« copied from Flu tare H in C^mianm^ trmy (fays Mr, Popc|
CORIOLANUS.
21^
And ftatc of bodies would bewray what life
We have led fmcc thy exile. Think with thyfclf^
How more iinfortunale than all living women
Are we come hither: fmce that thy fight, which
{hould
IWake our eyes flow with joy, hearts dance with
comforts,
Conftrains them weep, and Ihake'^ with fear and
forrow ;
Making the mother, wife, and child, to fee
le as well made an tnftance of the Icairring of Shakfj-earej is tliofc
copied from Cicero, in d/i7/«i-, of Ik-n Jo^funS/' jjet us inquire
jnto this icsttcr, and tranfcribe a fyetch for a fpccimcn* Take the
famous one of VolumrJa ; for cur author has done iiitle more, thaa
^row ihe very words cf North into blank vcrfc.
'* If we helilc our peace (my foniie) arid dt'terinined not to
fpeake^ the ftate of our poore bodies* and t>refc[it fight of our rai-
ment, woo Id eafely bcwny to thee what life u^e hauc led at homcj
fince thy exile and abode abroad- Bot thinke now with thy fclfe,
llowe much more unfortunately than all the women liuinge we arc
come hether, confidcring that the fight w!iich Jliould be moft plea-
fauQi to ;dl other to bebaldc, fpitefull fLiitune hath xnade moft
fcarfall to Xk\ i making my felfe to ff e my fonne, and m)-' daughter
tlcre, her HuCband, befieging the wallcs of his natiue conntrre. So
ai that which is the only comfort to all other in their adverfitic and
mifcrie, to pray unto the goddes, and to call to them for aide, \% the
oncly thinge which plongeth us into moi^ deep perplexitic* For
we cannot (alai) together pray, buth forvidloric, for our count rie,
mnd for fafety of tny life alio ; but a worldc of grievous curfes,
Rore than any mortall enemie can heape uppon us, arc forcibly
up in our prayers. For the bitter loppe nf moft hard choyce
red thy wife and cbiyren, to forgoc the one of the two:
either to lofe the perfone of thy felfe, or the nurfe of their uatiuc
conn trie- For my fclfe (my fonnc) I am determined not to tarrie,
till fortune in my life doc make an ctide of this war re. For if I
cannot pcrfuade thee, rather to doc good unto both panics^ then
ta oocrthrowe and deft rove the one, preferring loue and nature
before the malice iind calamite of warres i thou fh*th fee, my fonne,
and truft unto it, thou fl^alt no foner marchc forward to aflault
thy count He, but thy foote (hall tread upn thy mother's wombe^
thit brought thee firft into this world," Farmer.,
« Cmfitaim ihem ^u^^etp^ mid Jhakt ] That is, ftf«^/«nu the
#)X to ^i€f^ mi^v:^ bcait lO Jhukt^ JoHJ«iON#
219
CORIOLANUS.
The (on, the hufband, and the father, tearing
His country's bowels out* And to poor we.
Thine enmity's moft capital ; thou barr'ft ui
Our prayers to the gods^ which is a comfort
That all but we enjoy : For how can wc^
Alas ! how can wc for our country pray>
Whereto we are bound ; together with thy vidory,
Whereto wc arc bound ? Alack ! or we mu ft lofc
The country, our dear nurfe j or elfe thy perCon^
Our comfort in the country. We muft find
An evident calamity, though wc had
Our wifh, which fide (hould win: for either thoii
. Muft, as a foreign recreant, be led
With manacles thorough our ftrects 5 or clfc
Triumphantly tread on thy country's ruin ;
And bear the palm, for having bravely (hed
Thy wife and childrcn*s blood. For myfelf, (on^
I purpofe not to wait on fortune, till
Thefe wars determine;' if I cannot pcrfuadc thee
Rather to ftiow a noble grace to both parts,
Than feek the end of one, thou (hair no fooner
March to aflTault thy country, than to tread
(Truft to't, thou Ihalt not J on thy mother*s womb^
That brought thee to this world.
FiRC. Ay, and on mine/
That brought you forth this boy, to keep your name
Living to time.
Bor* He Ihall not tread on me ;
ril run away till I am bigger, but then VU fight.
9 n^fi man detetminc:] i. €. conclude, end. So, in Kiw*
** Till thy friend ficknefs have ditirmia'd me,'*
* nndon mmi^'\ Om was fupplicd by fomc Cornier cdiiar, t»
complete tbc njafurc* !^TKtVR»<s,
c o R I o L A ^^ u s.
%it
Cor. Not of a woman's tenderncfs to be.
Requires nor child nor woman's face to fee*
I have fat too long, [^(/^^S*
Voin Nay, go not from us thus.
If it were fo^ that our requcft did tend
To fav c the Romans, thereby to deftroy
The Voices whom you ferve, you might condemn
us.
As poifonous of your honour: No; our fuit
Is, that you reconcile them : while the Voices
May fay, This mercy we have Jhow*d % the Romans^
7bh we received I and each in either fide
Give the aU-hail to thee, and cry. Be Me/id
For making up this peace! Thou know 'ft, great fon.
The end of war's uncertain; but this certain^
That, if thou conquer Rome, the benefit
Which thou (halt thereby reap, is fu ch a name,
Whofe repetition will be dogg'd w ith curfes ;
Whofe chronicle thus writ, — The man was mhle^
Bui With his iaft attempt be wip^d it out ;
Defir^*d his country ; and his name remains
To the enfuing age^ aiborr'd. Speak to me, fon:
Thou haft afte<5ed the fine ftrains * of honour.
To imitate the graces of the gods ;
To tear with thunder the wide cheeks o*thc air,
And yet to charge thy fulphur* with a bolt
* thtjitiijimmi ^ The niceties, the refinements,
Jem » sow.
The old copy has /w, Tlie corre^ion wa* made by Dr. Johnfor^
I fbould Qoc have mcrmoned fucb a manifdi: error of the prcfs, but
that it jufiifies a corrctftion that I have made in R^ma and J nth t^
ht\ L another in Timm ^f Athcm% and a third that has been made
to A MidJummtT Night* t Dr^um. See VoL V, p, j j 5, Hi 7* M ALONt*
* A^d ytf tif charge thy Jtilphur ] The old copy has changt^
The correftion is Dr, Warhurton's* In Thf Taming tf the Shrrw^
Ac I llh k-*U charge is printed tnflcad oi c/^angf. Maloni.
■ The meaning of the paiTage icj To threaten much, and yet bt
m fficreiful. W^acuiiTON*
k
aai
CORIOLANUS.
That fhould but rive an oak. Why doft not fpcak?
Think* ft thou it honourable for a noble man
Still to remember wrongs? — Daughter^ fpcak you:
He cares not for your weeping. — Speak thou, boy;
Perhaps^ thy childifhnefs will move him more
Than can our reafons. — There i* no man in the
world
More bound to his mother i yet here he lets mc
prate.
Like one i' the flocks.^ Thou haft never in thy life
Show*d thy dear mother any courte fy ;
When (he, fpoor hen!) fond of no fecond broody
Has cluck*d thee to the wars, and fafely home^
Ijoadenwith honour. Say, my requeft's unjull^
And fpurn me back : But, if it be not fo.
Thou art not honeft ; and the gods will plague thee.
That thou reftrain*ft from me the duty, which
To a mother's part belongs, — He turns away :
Down, ladies; let us ftiame him with our knec3.
To his furname Coriolanus 'longs more pride.
Than pity to our prayers. Down; An end :
This is the lall ; — So we will home to Rome,
And die among our neighbours. — Nay, behold us :
This boy, that cannot tell what he would have.
But kneels, and holds up hands, for fellow Ihip,
Docs reafon our petition* with more ftrength
Than thou haft to deny't. — Come, let us go;
This fellow had a Volcian to his mother ;
His wife is in Corioli, and his child
Like him by chance: — Yet give us our defpatch;
I am hufti'd until our city be afire.
^ Like mtt f iJ^ J^oeku] Keep me ia a ftate of ignominy tmlkiiig
10 no purpofc* Johnson,
* £hfi ntafifs mr ^iiiioM ■ . ] Does argttt for ufi and oitf [leti*
tion* Jo&K«oir»
C O R I O L A N U S.
22g
fAnd then rU fpcak a little* f
Cor. O mother, mother ! ^
[balding Vohimnia h the bands ^ JJlent.
What have you done? Behold, the heavens do ope,
""he gods look down, and this unnatural fcene
They laugh at. O my mother, mother! O!
You have won a' happy vidory to Rome:
'But, for your fon, — believe it, O, believe it,
Moft dangeroufly you have with him prcvaiPd,
If not molt mortal to him. But, let it come ;—
AufidiuSj though I cannot make true wars,
I'll frame convenient peace. Now, good Aufidius,
Were you in my ftead, fay, would you have heard *
A mother lefs? or granted lefs, Aufidius?
A VIP. I was mov*d w ithal.
Cor. I dare be fvvorn, you were;
And, fir, it is no little things to make
Mine eyes to fwcat companion. But, good fir.
What peace you'll make, advife me : For my part,
I'll not to Rome, I'll back with you ; and pray you.
Stand to me in this caufe, — O mother ! wife !
Au¥. I am glad, thou haft fet thy mercy and thy
honour
At difference in thee: out of that I'll work
, ? O mtither^ mother!^ So, in the old t inflation of Pluiarch:
** OH moihcr, what have yovk dooc ro roe ? AnA holding her Karde
hy tii<; right handt\ oh mcMbcr» fayed he, you liave wonne a happy
Irictoiic U>T yr.ur count rte, but mortall and unhap^fy for jour fonoc':
for I fi^ my felf vanquilhed by you done/ * St e i v e t? s*
■ he43rd ^ IS here u fed as a diflylfablc^ The modern
Cdiior^ read— /^, would you hare heard — , Maloni,
At my ears are wholly unreconciled to the diiryllalMficarions —
^r**r/* kt-srd kc. I continue to rerid with ihc luodern editoHp
£f:j, iri other paiTages of our author, is prefatory to a queftion, So^
" Saj^ if thou hadft rather hear it from our iBOut>rs.
** Or from our inaiteifc' V* SxitvsKi,
;a24
CORIOLANUS-
Myfelf a former fortune.
(JM-
[The iadies make Jipts fo Coriolanui*
Cor. Ay»byandby;
[To Volumnia, Virgiliaj &c.
But wc will drink together; * and you fhall bear
A better witnefs back than words, which wc.
On like conditions, will have counter-feard*
Come, enter with us. Ladie!?, you dcferve
To have a temple built you : * all the f words
In Italy, and her confederate arms.
Could not have made this peace. lExeunL
SCENE IV,
Rome, jf puHick Place.
Enter Menenius and Sicinius.
Men. See you yond' coign o* the Capitol ; yond' |
eorner-ftone ?
Sic. Why, what of that?
Mb.n. If it bepoflible for you to difplace it with
your little finger, there is fome hope the ladies of
Rome, efpecially his mother^ may prevail with him*
« nitmrk
My/fif a firmer firiunt*] I will take advantagie of tkis COB-
ccffion'to rcftore myfelf to my farmer credit and power. Jchnsov,
* drink tfigttkfr{\ Perhaps we fliould read — thinkm
TklLUt%J
Onr author, in A7wf Henjy IV, P, It, having introduced ^Hmk*
in^ as a m^rk of confederation :
•' Let's dHtik /wf^r friendly, and embrace — ;"
the text in ay be allo^vcd to ftand ; though at the cxpencc of femak
delicacy^ which* in the prdeut inftance, has oot been fufficicntrfi
ccmfulted- Steevens.
i To hitvf a umple haih ym *] Plutarch informs us, that a tei
pie dedicated to the Fortune 0/ the Luim^ wis btiilt on thu gcca*
£on by order of the fcnate. Stee ve ns.
I
iak_
CORIOLANUS.
335
I
I
But, I fay, there is no hope in't ; our throats arc
fcntenccdj and ftay upon execution/
Sic. U't poflible, that fo fliort a time can alter
the condition of a man?
Men* There is diffcrency between a grub, and
a butterfly; yet your butterfly was a grub. This
Marcius is grown from man to dragon; he has
wings ; he's more than a creeping thing,
Sic* He loi^*d his mother dearly.
Men. So did he me: and he no more remembers
his mother now, than an eight year old horfe.* The
lantiefs of his face fours ripe grapes. When he
walks, he moves like an engine, and the ground
ffirinks before his treading. He is able to pierce
a corfiet with his eye; talks like a knell, and his
hum is a battery. He firs in his ftate,*^ as a thing
made for Alexander, What he bids be done^ is
finifti'd with his bidding. He wants nothing of a
god, but eternity, and a heaven to throne in,
Sic* Yes, mercy, if you report him truly.
Men. I paint him in thecharadlen Mark what
mercy his mother ftiall bring from him: There is
no more mercy in him, than there is milk in a male
tiger; that ftiall our poor city find; and all this
is 'long of you,
Si€^ The gods be good unto us I
* ^fT^xipou exeariieif*] i, c* ftav but/jr Hi So, in Machih:
" Worthy Macbeth, wc llay w/^it your Icifurc*'* Stisvem,
^ ihmt am tighi ^lar old koffe*^ SnbiiitcUjgimr rtmfm&en
hk dam^ W\HBUJiTON*
* B^fiii m hii ftate, &c,] In a foregoing note he was faid to^/
imgddm Thcpbrafej ma thing madf for Jfl^x^itdert meamt «/ *w
m^di t9 re/em^i Al^xmrder. J o H n s o k ^
Hk/au means his chmr&f Jiote* Sec the pafTage quored from
Fttttarcht in p. 203, n, 4; and VaK VIL p, 4^4, n* 4, Malokk.
Vol. XIL CL
226
CORIOLANUS,
Afij^r. Noj in fuch a cafe the gods will not be
good unto us. When we banifh*d him, we refpcd:-
cd not them: and, he returning to break our
necks, they refpcd: nor us.
Enitr a Meflenger,
Mes. Sir, if you'd fave your life, fly to your
houfe :
The plebeians have got your fcUow-tribunc,
And hale him up and down ; all fwearing, if
The Roman ladies bring not comfort home,
Theyil give him death by inches.
Enier another Meflenger,
Sic, What's the news?
Mes, Good news, good newsj — ^The ladies have
prevaird.
The Voices are diflodg^d, and Marcius gone:
A merrier day did never yet greet Rome,
No, not the expulfion of the Tarquins.
Sic, Friend,
Art thou certain, this is true? is it moft certain?
Mes. As certain, as I know the fun is fire:
Where have you lurk'd, that you make doubt of it?
Ne'er through an arch fo hurry 'd the blown tide.
As the recomforted through the gates.*^ Why, hark
you;
[Trumpets and bauthys founded^ and drums
teaten^ ail together. Shouting al/o wiiinn*
^ Nter t1iroii|h m aich /& kurrfd ikt blown tide,
J$ thi ftcmfQrtti thmugk ihe guUs*} So* m mt author's -
fr/" Lttcrea :
** As through an mrck the violent roaring liJs
** Out-runf the eye that doth betiold his haAcJ
7
I
CORIOLANUS.
237
I
I
The trumpets, fackbuts^ praltencs, and fifes.
Tabors, and cymbals, and the fhouti ng Romans,
Make the fun dance. Hark you ! [Sboufing again^
Me^\ This is good news :
I will go meet the ladies. This Volumaia
Is worth of confuls, fcnators, patricians,
A city fuIU of tribunes, fuch as you,
A fea and land full : You havcpray'd well to-day j
This morning, for ten thoufand of your throats
I*d not have given a doit. Hark, how they joy !
l^Sbouting and mujick*
Sic, Firfl, the gods blefs you for your tidings ;
next,
Accept my thank fulnefs.
Mes* Sir, we have all
Great caufe to give great thanks.
Sic. They are near the city ?
Mes. Almoft at point to enter.
Si€, We will meet them.
And help the joy. [Going,
I Blawm in che text is fwefttL So, in A^t&f^ itnd Ch^^tm -•
'* here on her breaft
" There is a vent of blood, and fomethiBg^/iP'uw.*^
The cffccl of a hi^h or fpring tide, as it is cdled^ h fo mucfi
grcaier thwti that ^vhich wind commonly produces, that I am not
convinced hy the following note that my interpretation is erroneotis»
I Watef that i& fubjefl to tides, even when it is not aceelerated by a
fpring tide J appears fwoln, and to move with more than ordinary
fapidit}^, when palEng through the narrow ftnit of an arch.
Malone*
The ik'um ttdt h the tide blows, and confcquently accelerated
the wind* So, in another of ottr author's playi^ :
" My bom fails fwiftly both with wiV^^and tide*'*
Stexvink
Q.^
ai8
C O R I O L A N U S.
Entif the Ladies^ accompanied ky Senators^ Patricians^
and People* Tbey pa/s aver tbejiage*
I, Sen. Behold our patronefs^ the life of Rome;
Call all your tribes together, praife the gods,
And make triumphant fires i itrew flowers before
them:
Unihout the noifc that bantfh'd Marcius,
Repeal him with the welcome of his mother;
Cry, — Welcome, ladies, welcome 1 —
All. Welcome, ladies !
Welcome !
\^AfiouriJb with drums and trumpets. Exeuni,
I
d
SCENE V.
Antium. A puhlick Place.
Enter Tullus Aufidius, with Aiiendants.
AuF. Go tell the lords of the city, I am here :
Deliver them this paper: having read it»
Bid them repair to the market-place; where I,
Even in theirs and in the commons' ears»
Will vouch the truth of it. Him I accufe,*
The city ports ^ by this hath enter'd, and
Intends to appear before the people, hoping
To purge himfelf with words : Defpatch.
[Exeunt Attendustts,
^ — Him / arntfi^^Scc*] So, in ^e Wmter^t 7aU:
" I am appointed inm to murder you,"
Mr, Pope and all the fubrcqucni editors read — He I accufe — •
Mauoki.
CORIOLANUS.
229
I
I
I
I
Enter three or fmr Confpirat$rs of KuMinz^ faBkn,
Moft welcome !
I- Con, How is it with our general?
AuF* Even fo^
As with a man by his own alms empoifon'd^
And with his charity (lain,
2. Con. Moft noble fir^
If you do hold the fame intent wherein
Y^ou wifh'd us parties, we'll deliver you
Of your great danger.
AuF^ Sir, I cannot tell i
Wc muft proceed, as we do find the people,
3. Con* The people will remain uncertain, whilft
'Twixtyou there's difference; but the fallofeither
Makes the furvivorhcir of all.
AuF. I know it;
And my pretext to ftrike at him admits
A good condrudtion- I rais'd him, and I pawn*d
Minehonour for his truth : Who being foheighten'd^
He watered his new plants with dews of Hatrery,
Seducing fo my friends : and^ to this end,
He bow'd his nature, never known before
BuE to be rough, unfwayable, and free,
3. Con, Sir, his ftoutnefs.
When he did ftand for conful, which he loft
By lack of (looping^ —
AuF* That I would have fpoke of;
Being baniih*d for't, became unto my hearth;
Prefented to my knite his throat: I took him i
Made him joint-fervant with me ; gave him way
In all his own defires ; nay» let him choofe
Out oCmy files, his projects to accomplilli,
My beft and frcnicft men; ferv'd his dclignmcnu
0.3
fljd
CORIOLANUS.
In mine own perfon; holp to reap the fame.
Which he did end all his ; ^ and took fome pride
To do myfeif this wrong : till, at the laft.
I feem'd his folloMcr, not
He
wag
partner ;
d me with his countenance
and
as if
I had been niercenary.
1. Con,
The army marvcird at it.
So he did, my lord:
And» in the lafi".
When he had carried Ronne ; and that we look'd
For no lefs fpoil, than glory, —
AuF, There was it; —
For which myfinews fhallbc Hretch'd* upon him*
At a few drops of women's rheum, which arc
• H^hkh /at did end «// /jis ; j In Johnfon's ediiioii it was, ** Wtjich
he did mffic all his/* which fcems the more natural cxpreflionp
though ihe oiher be imdligiblt* M. Masoji*
Ettd h the reading of the old copy, and was chatigod into male
by Mr. Rowe. St £ e v e n s.
'J He wag'd me 'wUh hu r^/tteffaacff'} This is obrcurt. Hit
jncaning, I think, h, he /r^Wi^i/ to me with an air of authority *
ai>d ga^ e me hi/ t^mienanet for my qv^^f j ; thought me fufficiently
rewarded with good looks. Johnion.
The verb, to ^wagru is ufed in this fcnfc in Tkt Wijt W&mam $/
H&g/den^ hy Hey wood, l6^Ht
** 1 receive thee gladly to my houie,
" And nvagi thy flay * ' *
Again, in Greene's Mami//ia, i ^i^^ : ** by cuflom commofi
to all that couJd i^wj-r her honefty with the appointed price."
To tvagt a iff^* was, ancicnily, to undertake a ta£k for laaga^
So, in George Withers's Vfr/cs prefixed to Drayton '» Poijaihim :
** Good fpeed befall thee who haft ^agda iajk^
*• That better cenfures, and rewards doth aflc,"
Again, in Spcnfcr's ftttry ^ten^ Bi IL c. vii:
'* muft nvage
*• Thy works for wealth, and life for gold engage."
Again* in Holinihed's Reign 0JF King Jekfi, p, 1 6S : " the
fumme of 2S dioufand marker to kvic and mi^e thirtic thottfiad
men/' Steivens.
* Fpr nji4>kh myftrtms fieiH be fireuh'd — ] This !s the point Olt
which I will attack him with my utmoft abilities, Joh w &g n .
I
I
CORIOLANUS.
231
As cheap as lies, he fold the blood and labour
Of our great aciioii ; Therefore ftiall he die^
And I'll renew me in his fall. But, hark !
[Drums and trtimpets founds with great Jbonts
of ibe people,
I. Con. Yournative town you entcr'd likeapoft,
And had no welcomes home; but he returns^
Splicting the air with noife.
a. Con. And patient fools,
Whofe children he hath flain, their bafe throats tear.
With giving him glory-
3. Con. Therefore, at your vantage^
Ere he cxprefs himfelf, or move the people
With what he would fay, let him feel your fword.
Which we will fecond. When he lies along.
After your way his tale pronounced Ihall bury
His reafons with his body<
AuF^ Say no more;
Here come the lords.
Enter ibe Lords of the diy.
Lords* You are moft welcome home.
AuF. I have not deferv'd it.
But, worthy lords, have you with heed perus'd
What I have w rltten to you ? *
Lords, Wc have.
I, Lord. And grieve to hear it.
What faults he made before the lall:, I think.
' f^kaf / hav^ 'written lo yOQ ?] If the unncccflaiy words — t^
jm, arc omitted (fori believe them to bean ioccrpolaiion) ihc metre
iriil become fofiiciently regular :
Whmt I ha^t wnttert T
Lord*. W£ hm.e^
I • Lc^rdi Andgrk^'e H hear IL
bT££V£Ni.
0.4
±3^
C O R I O L A N U S-
Might have found eafy fines : but there to end.
Where he was to begin ; and give away
The benefit of our levies, anfwcring ys
With our own charge i^ making a treaty, where
There was a yielding; This admits no excufc,
AuF. He approaches, you (hall hear him,
Enier Coriolani;s, with drams and cqIquts ; a ewwd
qf Citizens with bim*
Cor, Halt, lords ! I am return'd your foldier;
No more infed:ed with my country's love^
Than when I parted hence, but ftill fubfifting
Under your great command. You are to know^
That profperoufly I have attempted, and
With bloody paflage, Jed your wars, even to
The gates of Rome, Our fpoils we have brought
home,
Po more than countcrpoife, a full third part^
The charges of the adion. We have made peace,
With no tefs honour to the Antiates,
Than fhame to the Romans : And we here deliver^
Subfcrib'd by the confuls and patricians,
logether with the feai o*thc fenate, what
We have compounded on. '
AvF. ^ Read it not, noble lordFj
But tell the traitor, in the highcft degree
He hath abus'd your powers.
Cor. Traitor ! — How now ? —
AuF, Ay, traitor, Marc i us.
Cor. Marcius I
AuF. Ay, Marcius, Caius Marcius i Doll thou
think
- mtfwififtg «j
With §Mr mvff ihitrge j] That is, rt^vardlng m 'Wifh omr
tx^tftciii makijig iht cofl of war its fccorapcnlc, JouNtoit.
C O R I O L A N U S.
33J
lil grace thee with that robbery, thy fioVn name
Coriolanus in Corio!i ? —
You lords and heads of the ftate, pcrfidioufly
He has betrayed your bulincfs, and given up.
For certain drops of fait/ your city Rome
(I fay^ your city,] to his wife and mother:
Breaking his oath and refolutiorij like
A twift of rotten filk ; never admitting
Counfel o' the war; but at his nurfe^s tears
He whin'd and roar'd away your vidoryi
That pages blufli'd at him, and men of heart
Look'd wondering each at other,
k Cor. Hear' ft thou, Mars?
I AuF, Name not the god, thou boy of tears, —
^(Coii. Ha !
^^pjf c/F. No more.^
■ Cor, Meafurelefs liar, thou haft made my heart
■ Too great for what contains it. Boy ! O flave [^
I Pardon me, lords, 'tis the firft time that ever
I was forc'd to fcold* Your judgements, my grave
lords,
Muft give this cur the lie: and his own notion
(Who wears my ftripes imprefs*d on him ; that muft
bear
My beating to his grave;) ftiall join to thruft
The lie unto him,
II, Lord, Peace, both, and hear me fpeak.
Cqm> Cut me to pieces. Voices ; men and lads.
Stain all your edges on me» — Boy ! Falfc hound !
^ F^r ttrmin dtvfi o/jaht} For certain tears* So, in Ktftg
*« Why ihb would make a man, a msin q{ fsli,"
Maloke«
* Auf, Nq m^reJ] Thii fhouM rather be given to xhe^ firft hrd*
It was aot the h\x^Tkd^oi Aiifidiui to put a llop to the alrercarlon*
If you have writ your annals true, 'tis therc^
That^ like an eagle in a dove-cote, I
Fluttered your Voices in Corioli :
Alone I did it. — Boy !
Au¥, Why, noble lords.
Will you be put in mind of his blind fortune^
Which was your (hamc, by this unholy braggart,
*Fore your own eyes and ears ?
Con* Let him die for*t, \feveral /peak ai once.
Or, \fpeijking promifcuoHjh.] Tear him to pieces,
do it prefently. He kill'd my fon i — my daugh-
ter;— He kill'd mycoufin Marcus; — He kill'dmy
fethen^ —
2* Lord. Peace, hoj — nooutjage; — peace.
The man is noble, and his fame folds in
This orb o' the earth,* His laft offence to us
Shall have judicious hearing/ — Stand, AufidiuSp
And trouble not the peace.
Con. O, that I had him.
With fix Aufidiu fes, or more, his tribe.
To ufc my lawful fword !
JuF. Infolent villain!
CoH. Kill, kill, kill, kill, kill him,
[AuFiDius and ibe Confpimiars draw, and kill
Co R TO L ANUS, wbofails^ and AvwiDivsJldnds
on ' '
I
J *>! hitfamf folds in
Iftw iitb o' thf tank*'] His fame OYcrfprcadi tlic n^rld,
JoHH£0|f.
So, h^tti
** The firts i' the lowcft hcJ1y^//#j(f the people." Stecvejcs,
* ^— judicious h^riuE^I Perhaps judkhmi, in the prdent in*
fiance, fignifies y^i/jV/fl/; fuch a hearing as is allo^^ed to cnimtuH
in courts of judicature,
Thus imperioni is idcd b> our author for
C O R I O L A N U S.
ns
I
I
I
I
I
Lords. Hold, hold, hold, hold.
AuF. My noble mafters^ hear me fpcak.
i^ Lord. O Tullus,^
2* Lord. Thou haft done a deed whereat valour
will weep.
3- LoHD* Tread not upon him. — Maftcrs all, be
quiet ;
Put up your fwords,
AuF. My lords, when you fhall know (as in this
rage*
Provok'd by him, you cannot,} the great danger
Which this man's life did owe you, youil rejoice
That he is thus cut oft*. Pleafe it your honours
To call me to your fenate, I'll deliver
Myfelf your loyal fervant, or endure
Your heavieft cenfure.
I, Lord. Bear from hence his body*
And mourn you for him : let him be regarded
As the moft noble corfe, that ever herald
Did follow to his utnJ
,2. Lord. His own impatience
Takes from Aufidius a great part of blame*
Let's make the beft of it.
JuF. My rage is gone.
And I am ftruck with for row. — Take him up : —
Help, three o' the chiefeft foldiers; Fll be one-
Beat thou the drum, chat it fpeak mournfully :
Trail your fteel pikes. — ^Though in this city he
Hath widow'd and unchilded many a one.
7 iifai i'uer herald
Bidfhik^ i& bis utn,'\ This allufton is to a ctiftom unknown,
I bclicrCf to the ancients, but obferved in the pubUck funcraU of
Knglifh princes, ^t the concltifion of which a herald proclaimi the
Itjk of tbe dcccafed* Stehveki.
236 C O R I O L A N U S.
Which to this hour bewail the injury.
Yet he Ihall have a noble memory.* —
Affift. [Exeunt ^ bearing the body of Coriolanus. A
dead march founded."^
• a noble memory.] Memoty for memoria!. See p. 174, n. 6.
Stesvens.
9 The tragedy of Coriolanus is one of the moft amufing of oar au-
thor's performances.. The old man's merriment in Meoenius; the
lofty lady's dignity in Volumnia ; the bridal modeily in Virnlia ;
the patrician and military hauehtinefs in Coriobnus ; the plraeian
malignity and tribanitian infolence in Bmtus and Sicinius, make a
very pleafing and interefling variety : and the various revolutions
of the hero's fortune fill the mind with anxious curiofity. There
is, perhaps, too much bufllc in the firil adj and too Itttle in the
)aft« John soy.
JULIUS Cu^SAR.
• Julius C^i All.] It appears from Peck's CetleSkn ^/ dnmi
turloMs Hffisrkal Pteai^ ^c* (appended to his Memmn, Sec* ^f
Olivtr Cr&mfw^iit) p* i4- *^^* ^ Latin play on this fubjcfl had beck
written. '* Epilogus Cxfans interfc€ti, quomodo in fcenain pro-
diit ca res, ada. In Ecclefia Chrifli, Oxon- Qui Epilogus a Mi-
fro Ricardo Ecdes, ct fcriptus ct in pro fccnio ibidem diftus fuit,
. D< 1 5S1/' Mercs, whofe JVtYf Commamwtahh was pubiiOiesd
in I 55^8, enumerates Dr. Ecdcs among the beft tragic writcn of
that time, Steeveks,
From fomc words ipoken hy Polonlus in Mamlei, I think it pro*
table that there was an Engiijh play on this fubje^, before Shak-
fpeare commenced a writer for ihe (lage.
Stephen Goflbn in his Sch^ rf Ahufi^ 'i?9» mention* a play
entitled The Hiftary ofC^rfur atrd Psmfe^^
William Alexander, afterwards earl of Sterlinc, wrotcatra^y
on the (lory and with the title of yitiim C^^Jar* It may beprefumed
that ShakjJ)eare*s play waspofterior to his; for lord Sterline. when
he compoled his Ju/mf C^r was a very young author, aiMl would
hardly have ventured into that circle, wdhin which the mofl: emi-
nent dramatick writer of England had already walked* The death
of Caefar, which is not exhibited but reltted to the audience, fortm
the catallrophe of his piece* In the two plays many parallel paiTages
arc found, which might, perhaps, have proceeded only from the
two authors drawing from the fame fource* Howcverj there axe
fomc rcafons for thinking the coincidence more than accidental.
A paffagc in Tke Tem^fi^ (p, ij^J fccms to have been copied
from one in Darim^ another play of Lord Sterline^s, printed at
Edinburgh in 1605. HiAjaiiui Cetfia- appeared in 1607, ^* *
time when he was little acquainted with Englilli writers; for both
thcfc pieces abound with fcotticifms, which, in the fttbfeqaent
folio edition, i6j7, he cor reeled < But neither The Tem^fi ^at
the Juiiui C^far of our author wai printed till i6ij.
It Ihould alfo be remembered, that our author has feveral pfayVp
founded on fubje^ which bad been previoufly treated by othen*
Of this kind m^ Kmgjohii^ King Rk%arJ [f^ the two parts of A^
Henty IV, Kitfg Hfwfy f\ King Richard HI* Kiftg Lrer, AKisr^
and ClfQpatra^ Mtafutf f^r Miajun^ The Taming of ihe SJhneew, Tie
Mrrchmtt ef Fen ice ^ and I believe, Hamlet , Timon of Athens^ amd
The Secmd and Third Pari of King Henry VI, : whereas no proof
has hitherto been produced, that any contemporary writer ever
prcfumed to newm^^dela ftory that had already employed the pen
of Shakfpcarc, On all thefc grounds it appears more probable,
that Shakfpeare was indebted to lord Sterline, than that lord Sicr-
11 ne borrowed from Shakfpeare, If thiii rcafoning be ju0« this play
I
could not have appeared before the year 1607. I believe it was
produced in that year. See An Attempt to afcertain the order of
Shakfpeare's Plays, Vol. I. Ma lone.
The real length of time in Julius Cafar is as follows : About
Ac middle of February A. U, C. 709, a frantick icftival, facred
to Faa, and called Lupercalia, was held in honour of Csefar, when
the regal crown was offered to him by Antony. On the 1 5th of
March in the fame year, he was flain. Not. 27, A. U. C. 7ro>
the triumvirs met at a fmali ifland, form^ by the river Rhenus^
near Bononia, and there adjufted their cruel profcription. — A. U. C.
711, Brutus and Caflius were defeated near Pbilippi. Upton.
Con/pirators againft Julius
^ Caefar.
Persons reprefentcd.
Julius Cxfar.
Cicero, Publius, Popilius Lena, Senators.
Marcus Brutus,
Caflius,
Cafca,
Trebonius,
Ligarius,
Decius Brutus,
Metellus Cimber,
Cinna,
Flavius, and Marullus, Tribunes.
Artemidorus, a Sophiji ^Cnidos.
A Sootb/ayer.
Cinna, a Poet. Another Poet.
Lucilius, Titinius, Meflak, Toung Cato, ^>y^ Volum-
nius ; Friends to Brutus and Caflius.
Varro, Clitus, Claudius, Strato, Lucius, Dardanius ;
Servants to Brutus.
Pindarus, Servant to Caflius,
Calphurnia, JVife to Caefar,
Portia, fVife to Brutus.
Senators^ Citizem, Guards, Attendants^ fcff •
S CE NE, during a great part of the play, at Rome :
afterwards at Sardis; and near rhWxppi.
JULIUS C ^ S A R-
ACT L SCENE I.
Rome. A Stfeei.
Enter Fl a v r o s^ Ma ru l l u s/ and a rahhle of
Citizens,
I Em
■ FidF* Hence; home, you idle creatures, gee
W you home ;
Is this a holiday ? What ! know you not.
Being mechanical, you ought not walk.
Upon a labouring day, without the fign
Of your profeffion ? — Speak, what trade art thou ?
fe I. Cir. Why, fir, a carpenter.
Mar. Where is thy leather apron, and thy rule?
What doft thou with thy beft apparel on ? —
k You, fir; what trade are you?
2 Cir. Truly, fir, in refpeftof a fine workman, I
Jam but, as you would fay, acobler.
Mar. But what trade art thou ? Anfwcr me di-
reftly,
2, C/T. A trade, fir, that, T hope, I may ufe with
a fafe confcience; which is, indeed, fir, a mender
of bad foals**
■ = Mmmlim^'] Old copy — Mureiius* I have, upon the aathority
^ Fhaavchf he. given to this tribune hia right name, MarMHm,
ITHtOBALD.
' « mendrr of had foals J Flctcbcr has the fame quibble in
UMWmmtiPkmd:
Vol, XIL R
^42 JULIUS C iE S A R.
Mar. What trade, thou knave? thou naughtjr
knave, what trade ? ♦
1. Cir. Nay, I befeech you, fir, be not out with
me : yet, if you be out, fir, I can mend you.
Mar. What meaneft thou by that? * Mend me,
thou faucy fellow ?
2. Cir. Why, fir, cobble you.
FiAr. Thou art a cobler, art thou ?
2. Cir^ Truly, fir, all that I live by is, with the
awl : I meddle with no tradefman's matters, nor
women's matters, but with awl/* I am, indeed.
" — — mark me, thoa fcrions fowtcr,
" If thou doft this, there (hall be no more fhoe^meadiags
** Every man (hall have a fpocial care of his own J&mi^
'* And carry in his poclcet nis two confieffofs." Malobi.
* Mar. ffO&/7/ trade, &c.] This fpecch in the old copy is given
to Flfi'vius. The next fpeech but one (hews that it nelongs to
MaruUus, to whom it was attributed^ I think properlyj by Bdr.
Capcll. Malonb.
^ Mar. IFbai meaneft thou hy that ?'\ As the Cobler^ in the pi&*
ceding fpecch, replies to Flavins, not to Marullus , 'tis plam, I
think, tliis fpeech mufl be given to Flamiui. Thsobalo.
T have replaced Marmllus, who might properly enough rnly to
a faucy fentence direded to his colleague, and to whom the toeech
was probably given, tliat he might not (land too long unemployed
upon the ftagc. Johnson.
I would ^ive the firft f^x>ech to Marullus, inftead of traMfinxing
the lad to Iblavius. Rxtson.
Perhaps this, like all the other fpeechcs of the Tfibanet» (ID
whichfocvcr of th.cm it bclongb) was deiigned to be metrical, vA
originally Hood thus :
What mean* ft by that ? Mend me, thoujaucyfeihwf
Stibviss*
* / meddle nvith no tradcfman's matters ^ normjomen^s matters^ ha
ivitb awL] This fhould be, ** I meddle with no irmdt^^miVk%
matters, nor woman's matters, but with <7<u*/," Fa&icbb*
Shakfpearc might have adopted this quibble from tbe
kallad, uuitlcd> "-Ibe Three Merry CobUrs:
JULIUS c;esar.
«43
I
I
fir, a furgeon to old fhoes ; when they are in great
danger^ I rc-cover them. As proper men as ever
trod upon neats -leather, have gone upon my handy-
*ntork* '
Flaf* But wherefore art not in thy fhop to-day?
Why doft thou lead thefe men about the itreets?
2. Cir* Truly, fir, to wear out their Ihoes, to get
myfclf into more work.v But, indeed, fir, we make
holiday, to fee Caefar, and to rejoice in his triumph,
Mab* Wherefore rejoice? What conqueft brings
he home ? t
What tributaries follow him to Rome,
To grace in captive bonds his chariot wheels ?
You blocks, you ftones, you worfe than fenfeleff
things !
O^ you hard hearts, you cruel men of Rome,
Knew you not Pompey ? Many a time and oft
Have you climb*d up to walls and battlements.
To towers and windows, yea, to chimney-tops^
Your infants in your arms, and there have fat
The live-long day, with patient expe(5tation.
To fee great Pompey pafs the ftreets of Rome :
I
*' Wc have mj^h at oor command,
" And ft ill wc are on the mending hand/' SteivenIi.
I have already obfc rved in a note on t^o^*je's Lahour^s Lofi^ Vol. V,
p«a|i, n. 6t that where our author lifcs words equivocally, he im-
poses fome diJficuky on his edkor with refpcd to ihc mode of ex-*
Otbiiifig them in print. Shakfpeare, who wrote for the ftagc, not
for the clofcit was contented if his quibble Satisfied the car, I have,
with the other modern editors, printed here — with anjtjl, though tn
rile firft folio, we find li/tiMi as in the preceding page* bad Jmlj,
inl^d of — bAd/ostisf the reading of the original copy.
Tbt alkfion contained in the fecond claufcof this fcmaice, U
Mttll repeated in Cario/imur^ A^ IV^ fc> v, — '* 3* Srrv, How, fir,
do yoti meddle with my malkr ? C<m Ay, 'lis an honcftcr fcrvicc
thm to middit ^mih thy m iftrffs* ** M a L o w E -
R 2
t44 JULIUS C^SAR^
And when you faw his chariot but appear^
Have you not made an univerfal fhout.
That Tiber trembled underneath her banks/
To hear the replication of your founds^
Made in her concave ftiores ?
And do you now put on your beft attire?
And do you now cull out a holiday?
And do you now ftrew flowers in his way.
That comes in triumph over Pompcy's blood ?
Be gone ;
Run to your houfes, fall upon your knees.
Pray to the gods to intermit the plague
That needs muft light on this ingratitude, v
Fla^. Go, go, good countrymen, and, for thii
fault,
Aflcmble all the poor men of your fort;
Draw them to Tiber banks, and weep your tears
Into the channel, till the loweft ftream
Do kifs the moll exalted fhores of all.
[Exeunt CiiiZfMS.
See, whe*r * their bafeft metal be not mov'd i
7 ,^ — her iafikst] As Tiher h always rq)rercnted bv the figttie
of a man» the feminine gender is improper. Milton Utys^ that
** — — the river of blifs
" Rolls o'er Elyfian flowers h^r amber ftrcatti/*
But he is fpeaking of the water, and not of its prefiding pcmer or
genius. Steevens.
Drayton, in his Polyolbivftt frequently dcfcribes the riyers of
England as females, even when he fpeaks of the prefiding power oT
the ilream. Spenfer on the other hand, reprefents them more dafr
fically, as males. Malonc.
The prefiding power of fome of Drayton's risers were females;'
like Stwrifta kc. Steevens.
• See, whe'r ] IVhctker, thus abbreviated, is ufed by Ben
Jonfon :
" Who (hall doubt, Donne, nvhc^r I a poet be,
'* Wlicn 1 dare fend my epigrams to thcc." STEBTmn
irce Vol. Vill, p. jg, n. 5. Maloxl,
JULIUS C iE S A R. 245
They vanilh tongue-tied in their guiltinefs.
Go you down that way towards the Capitol ;
This way will I : Difrobe the images.
If you do find them deck'd with ceremonies.'
Mjr. May we do fo ?
You know, it is the feaft of Lupercal.
Fur. It is no matter ; let no images
Be hung with Caefar's trophies.* I'll about.
And drive away the vulgar from the ftreets :
So do you too, where you perceive them thick.
Thefe growing feathers pluck'd from Caefar's wing.
Will make hiin fly an ordinary pitch ;
Who elfe would foar above the view of men.
And keep us all in fervile fearfulnefs. [Exeufti.
9 ^-^^deck'd 'with ceremonies.] Ceremonies^ for religious oroji^f
ments. Thus afterwards he explains them by Cafar's tro/hies.; i. c»
foch as he had dedicated to the gods. Warb u&ton.
Ceremonies are honorary ornaments ; tokens of refped.
Malone.
* Be hung *with Cafa/s trophies.] Caefar's trophies, are, I bc-
liere, the crowns which wete plac^ on his ftatues. So, in fir
Thomas North's tranflation : ** — There were fet up images of
Caeiar in the city with diadems on their heads, like kings. Thofe
the two tribunes went and pulled down." Stbbvens.
What thefe trophies really were, is explained by a paflage in the
next fcene, where Cafca informs Caflias, that *' Marulius and Fla«
vios, for pulling fcarfs off Capfar's images, are put to filence."
M. Masok,
R3
246 JULIUS C/ESAR.
SCENE li.
The fame. A publick Place.
Enfer, in procejjion^ with muftck^ Caesar ; Antont,
for the courfe I Calphurnia, Portia, Dbcius,'
Cicero, Brutus, Cassius, and Ca^ca^ a great
crowd following ; among them a Soothfaycr.
CjES. Calphurnia, —
Casca. Peace, ho ! Csefar fpeaks.
[Mufick ceafes.
Cms. Calphurnia, — •
3 This perfon was not Decitu, but Decimus Brtttus. The poet
(as Voltaire has done fincc) confounds the charaders of Manm
and Decimus. Decimus Bruius was the moft cherilhcd by C^eSar of
all his friends, while Marcus kept aloof, and declined fo large a
(hare of his ^vours and honours, as the other had conftantly ac-
cepted. Vellcius Paterculus, fpcakine of Decimus Brutus^ fajn,
-^'* ab lis, quo8 miferat Antonius, juguiatus eft ; Juftiffimafqiic op*
umi de fe merito viro C. Csefari posnas dedit. Cujus cum priorat
omnium amicorom fuiflct, interfeaor fuit, et fortunae ex qua fmo
tsm tulent, invidiam in audorem relegabat, cenfebatoue aBqaua«
qax acceperat k Caeiare retinere : C^efarem, quia ilia dedent^ pe^
nOc," Lib, II. c. Ixiv :
** Jungitur his Decimus, notiffimus inter amicot
** Caetarisy ingratus, cui trans- Alpina fuiflct
" Gallia Cxfareo nuper commiiTa favore.
" Non ilium conjundla fides, non nomen amici
•* Deterrere poteft. —
** Ante alios Decimus, cui fallere, nomen amici
** Praecipuc dederat, dudorem faepe morantem |
«« Incitat.'* SufpUm. Lucani. Steeviks.
Shakfpeare's miftake of Decius for Decimus, arofe from die old
tranflatioQ of Flutarcb. F a R m e R.
Lord Sterline has committed the fame miftake in his Julim ^^'fi"'^
and in Holland's Tranflation of Suetonius, 1606, which I bJierc
Shakfpcart had xtad, this perfon is likewife called Decius Brvtm,
MAiOVl*
JULIU§ C^SAR. 247
Cal* Here, my lord.
Cms. Stand you diredly in Antonius' way/
When he doth run his courfe. — Antonius.
Asr. Caefar, my lord.
CjES. Forget not, in your fpeed, Antonius,
To touch Calphurnia : for our elders fay.
The barren, touched in this holy chafe.
Shake off their fteril curfe.
Ant. I (hall remember :
When Cagfar fays, D^ /A/V, it is perform'd.
Cms. Set on ; and leave no ceremony out.
, . [Mufick.
Sooth. Caefar. /
Cms. Ha! Who calls?
^ ■/« Antonius' rutqy,] The old copy generally reads Anfo*
$H0, OdiFviCf f/a^h. The players were more accoftomed to Italian
than Roman terminations, on account of the many verfions from
Italian novels, and the many Italian charad^ers in dramatick pieces
formed on the fame originals. Steevens.
The conredion was made by Mr. Pope.— ^' At that time« ((ayi
Plotarch,) the fisaft Luphxalia was celebrated, the which in olde
time men fay was the feail of Shepheards or heardfmen, and is
much like unto the feaft of Lyceians in Arcadia. But howfoever
it is, that day there are diverfe noble men's fonnes, young men,
(and fome of them maeiftrates themfelves that govern them,) which
roh naked through the city, ftriking in fport them they meet in
their way with leather thongs. — And many noble women and gen-
t]cworoe^ alfo eo of purpoie to ftand in their way» and doe put
forth their hancks to l>e ftricken, perfuading themfelves that being
withchilde, they (hall have good deliverie ; and alfo, being barxen,
that it will make them conceive with child. Caefar fat to beliold
that fport vpon the pulpit for orations, in a chayre of gold, appa-
relled in triumphant manner. Antonius, who was ccmful at that
time, was one of them that rwttte this holy cmtfi." North's Tran-
flatioQ.
We kam from Cicero that Caefar conftituted a new kind of theft
LMferdf whom he called after his own name, Juiianii and Mark
Antony was the firft who was fo entitled. Malonb.
R4
-48 JULIUS C^SAlt-
CjscA* Bid every noifc be ftill : — Peace yet again.
[Mnjick ctajes*
Cms. Who is it in the prefs, that calls on mc?
I hear a tongue^ ihriller than all the mufick*
Cry, Csefar: Speak ^ Casfaris turn'd to hear.
Sooth, Beware the ides of March*
Cms. What man is that?
Bru. a foothfayer^ bids you beware the ides of
March*
C^5, Set him before me^ let me fee his face.
Cas. Fellow, come from the throng : Look upon
Caefan
Cms* What fay' ft thou to me now ? Speak once
again.
Soorih Beware the ides of March*
Cas. He is a dreamer; let us leave him ; — pafs*
(SenneiJ Exemi all biu Brutus and CaJTius.
C#s. Will you go fee the order of the courfe ?
Bku. NotL
Crfs, I pray you^ do.
Bkv* 1 am not gamcfome : I do lack fomc part
Of that quick fpirit that is in Antony.
Let me not hinder, Caflius, your defircs ;
ril leave you-
* Btjmtt.^ I have btcn infomied ^zi ftnnet Is derived from
/mmtfit^ an antiquated FrencK tunc formerly ufed in the army |
but the DI€Honane5 which I huve confulted exhibit no fueh word*
In Decker^s Saiir&mijfiix^ 1 602 ;
*• TruropeB found a flouriCh, and then ^/ew»ff/*
** Sound M^Jipttrnf and pafs over the itage.
:hofw^ preceding the Hrft nan of Jtr^ma, i6oj, 1*
7p>tmf and pafs over the " _
In Beaumont and Fletcher's Kmgki tf Malta ^ a Jjmttt is caQcd
^flmrifi nfirumf^u^ but I know not on what authority. Sec a note
on KiagHenty ¥11!. Aa 11* fc, tv> Vol, XL p. 85, n* 3. ^mtn
roay be a corruption iiomjumata^ Ital, St^evini,
JULIUS C iE S A R.
Hr
Cjs. Brutus, I do obfervc you now of late:*
I have not from your eyes that gentlenefs,
And fhow of lovc^ as I was wont to have :
You bear roc ftubborn and too ftrange a hand'
Over your friend that loves you.
Bro\ Caflius^
Be not deceived : If I have veil'd my look^
1 turn the trouble of my countenance
Merely upon myfclf. Vexed I am.
Of late, with paflions of fome difference,*
Conceptions only proper to myfelf.
Which give fome foil, perhaps, to my behaviours ;
But let not therefore my good friends be griev'd;
(Among which number, Caffius, be you one;}
Nor conftruc any further my ncgied:,
^Than that poor Brutus, with himfelf at war.
Forgets the (hows of love to other men.
Cjs, Then, Brutus, I have much miftook your
• -■•
»
* SrMivit I do ^hfirmt you now s/lau:^ Will the rc;ader fuilain
any lofs by the omiffion of the word^^-jm »oaw, without which the
jQ^ure would become fcgular ?
Caf. Brutsfi, f d& obfirvt &f iate,
1 , fkizngc u hand — ] Sirmigf, u alien, unlamiliar, foch ai
iDight bcco rtie a it ra ogef . J a it k s o n «
• P^ffi<fni nfpme dLffercnce,] With a fludhiatioo of difcor-
daof opimonsand dcfires. Johki^on*
So, In Cmdanut^ Aft V. fc. iii ;
*• ihou haft fet thy mercy and thy honour
** At diffrreticf in thcc.'' St e e V e NS.
A following line may proirc the beft commetit on this i
" Than that poor Brycus, nuUh himjdfat lycr, — ^,"
MaloHe*
9 ■ ^jfmt pdton ;] i* Cp the naturt: of the ^ings from whicli
yoa af€ tiQw Jt^trittg^ So, in Tmsn &f Atbem :
•' X &el my mailer 'i /^#<rjv/' Steevihs.
250 JULIUS CiESAR.
By means whereof, this breaft of mine hath buried
Thoughts of great value, worthy cogitations.
Tell me, good Brutus, can you fee your face?
Bru. No, Caflius : for the eye fees not itfclf,*
But by refledlion, by fome other things.
C^s. 'Tisjuft:
And it is very much lamented, Brutus,
That you have no fuch mirrors, as will turn
Your hidden worthinefs into your eye.
That you might fee your fhadow. < I have heard.
Where many of the beft refped: in Rome,
(Except immortal Caefar,) (peaking of Brutus,
And groaning underneath this age's yoke.
Have wifh'd that noble Brutus had his eyc$.
Brv. Into what dangers would you lead me,
Caflius,
That you would have me feek into myfelf
For that which is not in me ?
Cas. Therefore, good Brutus, be prepared to hear:
And, fince you know you cannot fee yourfclf
So well as by rcflecflion, I, your glafs.
Will modeftly difcover to yourfelf
That of yourfclf which you yet know not of.
* the eye fits not itfelf,'] So, Sir John Davies ia his poem
entitled Nofce feiffum^ 1 599 :
" Is it bccaufe the mind is like the tye^
" Through which it gathers knowledge by degiees ;
** Whofe rays refleft not, but (bread outwardly ;
" Not feeing itfelf, when other things it fees?"
Again, in Marilon's Parafitafter^ 1 606 :
«< Thus few flrike fail until thi^ run on ihelf ;
•« The tytfees all things hut its frofcr/elf.** St£BV|2I9.
i^gain, in Sir John Davies's poem :
•« — the lights which in my tower do fhine,
" Mine eyes which fee all objeds nigh and far,
«• liOok not into this little world of mine;
M Nor/ee mj face^ wherein they fixed are." Maloxc,
JULIUS CiESAR.
aSI
I
And be not jealous of me, gentle Brutus:
Were I a common laugher,^ or did ufe
To ftalc with ordinary oaths my love*
To every new protefter; if you know
That I do fawn on men, and hug them hard^
And after fcandal them ; or if you know
That I profefs my fclf in banqueting
To all the rout^ then hold me dangerous.
■ [Flouri/b^ andjhout*
W>^ B&v* What means this fhouting? 1 do fcar^ the
W people
I Choofe C^far ibr their king.
■ Crf 5. Ay, do you fear it ?
Then muft I think you would not have it fo.
■ Bru. I would not, CafHus ; yet I love him well :*--
But wherefore do you hold me here fo long?
What is it that you would impart to me?
B If it be aught toward the general good.
Set honour in one eye, and death i' the other.
And I w ill look on both indifferently : *
For, let the gods fo fpecd me, as 1 love
I The name of honour more than I fear death*
Cas* I know that virtue to be in you, Brutus,
As w ell as I do know your outward favour*
Well, honour is the fubjed of my ftory. —
I cannot tell, what you and other men
I
I
"^ n c^mmm laogficr,] Old Copy — iauihur, CoTft^d by
Mf* Ptipc, Maloke.
* Tafiak *w*tth ordiftcfy &eihs mj Uvt Arc] To invite f'verj vf^w
frpiifiir to my aifcftion by ihc/^/f or ^Muitmmioi CHftgrnaty oAths.
* A fid I mii!! h^k &ft hoth mdiffet^ttilj :^ Dr. Warburton has a
long note on ihis gccafion, which js very trifling. When Brutm
firfi T\^vn^ hoHdur and Jutih^ he calmly declares xh^m iftMftrejst i
hal as the image kiiidles in his mind, he fets hwmr above fifi* li
oot f hi& naruraJ I JoHKiOK,
252
JULIUS C^S A
Think of this life; but, for my fingic fcif,
I had as lief not be, as live to be
In awe of fuch a thing as I myfelf.
I was born free as Caefar ; fo were you :
We both have fed as well ; and we can both
Endure the winter's cold, as well as he.
For once, upon a raw and gufty day.
The troubled Tiber chafing with her fhorcs^
Caefar faid to me, Dar'Ji ibou^ Caffius, mw
Leap in %viib me into this angry fiaod^^
And/wim iQ yonder point ? — Upon the word,
Accouter*d as I was, I plunged in>
And bade him follow : io^ indeed, he did.
The torrent roar*d; and we did buffet it
With lufly fincws ; throwing it afide
And ftemming it with hearts of controvcrfy*
But ere we could arrive the point propos*d^^
Caefar cry*d, Hdp mr^ Callius, or I JinL
1, as ilincas, our great anccftor.
Did from the flames of Troy upon his fhoulder
The old Anchifes bear, fo, from the waves of Tiber
Did I the tired Caefar: And this man
Is now become a god ; and Caffius is
A wretched creature, and muft bend his body,
a Caefar carelefsly but nod on him*
}^ap In ^jaith mr imtf this nnjty Jimif] Shakfpcare probably rt-
coJle^kd the ftory^vhich Sueronius hastoldof C^far's Jeaping imo
iht. fca, when he was in danger by a boat's being overkden, ami
fwimming to t!ic next ftiip with his C^mmmtarkt in his left hand.**
Holland'^ Trdddatioii of Suetonius^ 1606, r. t6. So alfo, iM,
p» 24 : " Wetc rivers in his way to hinder \m paiTage, croli over
them he would, either fwimming, or dfe bearing bitnfelf upon
blowcd leather bottles." Malose.
* But m ^uf cmdJ arrive /!/ p^firit prGpoj*dt\ The verb arr^vr h
ufcd, without the prepofuion tJt^ by Milton in the fecond book of
FarnSfi Lg/^ a^ well as by Shakfpeare in the Third Part of Jf«^
lUnr/yL Aft V. fc, ill:
I
JULIUS CiES A
^53
He had a fever when he was in Spain,
And, when the fit was on him^ I did mark
How he did fhake : 'tis true, this god did fhake :
His coward lips did from their colour fly ; *
And that fameeye, whofe bend doth awe the world.
Did lofc his luftre : I did hear him groan :
Ay, and that tongue of his, that bade the Romans
Mark him, and write his fpecches in their books,
Alas 1 it cry'd, Giv^ mefome drink^ Titinius,
As a fick girl. Ye gods, it doth amaze me,
A man of fucha feeble temper' Ihould
So get the ftarc of the majeftick world,*
And bear the palm alone. \_Sboui.
Brv* Another general fiiout!
I do believe, that thefe applaufcs are
^Fo^ fome new honours that arc heap'd on Ca^far
Cas, Why, man, he doth beftride the
world.
FiOHTi^,
narrow
•* — thofe powers, ihat the quef n
** Hath rau'd in Gallia, have <jrrii/V oar coaft/'
^ Hi$ eowrard lips did from thtir colour fly ;] A plain man would
lia?C fa id, ihe ceianr flfd/mm his lipi^ and not hi^ lips ptim their
cwlmr* But the falfe exprcOion was for the fake of a* falfc a piece
of wU : a poor quibble, alluding la a coward Hyii^ from hu co-
lotin, Warburtoh,
7 ■ fiihk temper — ] i. €* temperament, conftiturioiw
■ ^'gei ihe flari rf ihe majeflkk ^waMf &c.] This image it
extremely nobk t it h taken from the Olympic gatucs. n^ ma-
jeftkk nv^ridh a fine periphrdfis for the Romatt empire : their ciiiacen*
fci tbcmfclves on a footing with kings, and they called tlicir domi-
nion Orlis Romanusn^ But the particular allufion fecms to be to
the knowct dory of Cxfar's great patiem Alexander, who being
a{ked^ Whether he would run the courfc at the Olympic game*,
replied , Tett if the rait n ^ere kingu Wariurtok.
That the allufion is to the prize ilbttcd in eamcs to the foremoft
in the racc^ bi very dear- AH the tefl cxiftcd^ I apprehend, only
ia Du War b u rton'5 i maginati tn ^ M a La *n e «
254 JULIUS C^S A R-
Like a ColofTus ; and wc petty men
Walk under his huge legs/ and peep about
To find ourfelves diihonourable graves. ,/
Men at fome time are mafters of their fates i
The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our ilars^
But in ourfelves, that we are underlings.
Brutus, and Caefar : What Ihould be in that Csefiur?
Why Ihould that name be founded more than yours ?
Write them together, yours is as fair a name ;
Sound them, it doth become the mouth as well;*
Weigh them, it is as heavy ; conjure with them^
Brutus will ftart a fpirit as foon as Caefar.* [^Sbwt,
Now in the names of all the gods at once.
Upon what meat doth this our Csefar feed.
That he is grown fo great? Age, thou art (haro*dt
Rome, thou haft loft the breed of noble bloods !
When went there by an age, fince the great flood.
But it was fam'd with more than wiiA one man?
When could they fay, till now, that talk'd of Rome,
That her wide walks encompafs'd but one man?
Now is it Rome indeed, and room enough.
When there is in it but one only man.
O ! you and I have heard our fathers fay,
• nnJ ive pitty men
Walh under his huge /<^/,] So, as an anonymous writer im
obfcrved, in Spenfcr's Faery ^teen, B. IV. c. x.
** But I the mcaneft man of many more,
" Yet much difdaining unto him to lout,
•* Or creep bet'ween hii legs,** Ma I. ONE*
9 Sound them y it doth become the mouth as ivell^] A fimilar thoQ^
occurs in Hey wood's Rape of Lucrece^ 1 6 1 4 :
«* What diapafon's more in Tarquin's name,
*« Than in a fubjcft's ? or what's Tullia
" More in the found, than fhould become the name
•' Of a poor maid?" Steevens.
- Brutus ixjillfiart a fpirit as foon as defarJ] "Du Young, in htt
Bujiris, appears to have imitated this paflagc :
" Nay, ftamp not, t)Tant; Icanltamp aslond,
'* And raife as many daemons with the found/* Stesvi vs.
7
JULIUS C^SAR 25^
There was a Brutus once,' that would havebrook'd
The eternal devil * to keep his (late in Rome,
As eafily as a^ing.
£rV. That you do love me, I am nothing jealous ;
What you would work me to, I have fome aim : *
How I have thought of this, and of thefc times,
I (hall recount hereafter ; for this prefent,
I would not, fo with love I might entreat you.
Be any. further mov'd. What you have faid,
I will confider ; what you have to fay,
I will with patience hear : and find a time
Both meet to hear, and anfwer, fuch high things.
Till then, my noble friend, chew upon this ; ^
Brutus had rather be a villager.
Than to repute himfelf a fon of Rome
Under thele hard conditions as this time
Is like to lay upon us.^
Cas. I am glad, that my weak words •
Hare ftruckbut thus much Ihow of fire from Brutus.
' There iMat a Brutus aw/,] i. c, Lucius Jmaus Bnitus*
Steeveics.
* eterttal drvil ] I fhould think thai our author wrote
father, htfemal de^iL Johnsoiv.
I would continue to read eternal den)iL L. J. Brutus (fays Cajftus)
tMseuid as foort have fubmitted to the perpetual dominion of a daemon, as
io the lofting government of a king. Steeveks.
* aim :] i. c. guefs. So, in The Tivo Gentlemen of Verona :
•* But, fearing leik ray jealous aim might err, — ." St b eve n«.
* chenv upon this;] Confider this atleifure; ruminate on
this, Johnson.
^ Uifder ihefe hard conditions as this time
Is like to Imj^ upon us,] As^ incur author's age, was frequently
a fed in the fenfe of /it/i/. So, in North's Tranllation of Plutarch,
1579: *• — infomuch <7x they that faw it, thought he had been
barnt/' Malone.
^ I mm gladf that my weak nvords ] For tlie (ake of regular
oiesfiife, Mr. Ritfon would read :
Caf. / am glad^ my tvtrdi
Havefiruck &c. Stebvk.vs.
2$6
JULIUS CjESAR,
He-enter C-^sar, and bis Trmn.
B&u. The games arc done, and Csefar is retu rning-
Cas^ As they pafs by, pluck Cafca by the flccvc;
And he will^ after his four fafliion^ tell you
What hath proceeded, worthy note, to-day»
Bru. I will do fo: — But, look you, Caffius^
The angry fpot doth glow on Csefar's brow.
And all the reft look like a chidden train :
Calphurnia's cheek is pale; and Cicero
Looks with fuch ferret ' and fuch fiery eyes.
As we have feen him in the Capitol,
Being crofs'd in conference by fome fenatorsp
Cas. Cafca will tell us what the matter b.
Cms* Antonius,
Ant* Caefar.
Cms, Let me have men about me, that are fat;
Sleek-headed men,* and fuch as flcep o'nights :
Yond' CafTius has a lean and hungry look j
He thinks too much : fuch men are dangerous-
Ant. Fear him not, Caefar, he's not dangerous;
He is a noble Roman, and well given.
' _*y/rr/i^ ] A ferret has red €yt%. Johnsok*
* Sieek- headed men^ &c,] So, in Sir Thomas North's Iranflatioa
of Pimtarch^ ' n9» " When Cxfar's friends com plained unto him
of Antonius and Dolabclb, ihai rhey pretended fome mifchief to*
wards him ; he anfwcred, as for thofc fat men and fmooth-combcd
hcad$, (quoth he) I never reckon of them; but thefc pale-vijjg^
and carrion *lean people, 1 fear them moll ; meaning Bnitus and
Caffius/*
And again :
" C^far had Caflius in great jealoufy, and fufpe^ed him modi;
whereupon he faid on a time, to his friends, what wUl CaIEus dOp
think you ? I like not his pale looks," Stseveki*
JULIUS CiESAR.
257
Cms* * Would he were fatter : ' — But I fear him
not:
Yet if my name were liable to fear,
I do not know the man I fhould avoid
So foon as that fpare Caffius, He reads much;
He is a great obferver, and he looks
Quite through the deeds of men : he loves no plays.
As thou dort^ Antony ; he hears no mufick : *
Seldom he fmiles ; and fmiles in fuch a fort,
As if he mock'd himfelf, and fcorn'd his fpirit
That could be mov'd to fmile at any thing.
Such men as he be never at heart's cafe.
Whiles they behold a greater than themfelyes i
And therefore are they very dangerous » -
I rather tell thee what h to be fear'd.
Than what 1 fear; for always I am Csefar*
Come on my right hand> for this ear is deaf.
And tell me truly what thou think'ft of him.
^Exeunl C^sar, and bis train, Ca%c a Jiays hbind*
Cascj. You pull'd me by the cloak ; Would you
Ipeak with me?
Bjiu. Ay, Cafca; tell us what hath chanc'd to-
day,
That Cgefar looks fo fad.
. 9 *WmU he ttffirfiiUr:} Ben Jonfon in his Bar^fkkm^ju-Faif,
1614, unjuftljr ftuxn at this paiTagc, in Knockham's fpcech to ihe
Pig-woman, *• Comr^ tlfr/s no maikt in fat filh ^ I jstver ft&r
titrf afi I tan ftaft thj Imm m&m-catf (b^ re, '' W a r b u r to n *
* he hears m mufick :\ Our author confi^crcd the having
no delight in mufick as fo certain a mat-k of an aufteredifpofition,
ihat in The Merchant &f fenkt he has pronounced, that
*< The man that hath no mufick in himfclf,
" L fit for rreafons, ftratagems, and fpoib/' Malosi#
Sec Vol- V, p. ijo, n, $* Stieveki*
Vol. XII. S
258- JULIUS C^SAR.-
Casca. Why you were with hini, were you not?
Bru. I (hould not then alk Cafca what hath
chanc'd.
Casca. Why, there was a crown offefd him:
and l^eing offered him, he put it by with the back
of his hand, thus; and then the people fell a*
Ihouting.
Brv. What was the fecond noifc for?
Casca. Why, for that too.
Cas. They ftiouted thrice ; What wis the lall
cry for ?
Casca. Why, for that too.
Bru. Was the crown ofFer'd him thrice?
Casca. Ay, marry, was't, and he put it by thrice,
every time gentler than other ; and at every putting
by, mine honcft neighbours fliouted.
Cas. Who ofFcr'd him the crown ?
Casca. Why, Antony.
Bru. Tell us the manner of it, gentle Cafca.
Casca. I can as well be hang'd, as tell the man-
ner of it : it was mere foolery, I did not mark it
I faw Mark Antony olFer him a crown ; — yet 'twai
not a crown neither, 'twas one of thcfc coronets;*
— and, as I told you, he put it by once : but, for
all that, to my thinking, he would fain have had it.
Then he ofFer'd it to him again; then he put it by
again : but, to my thinking, he was very loath to
lay his fingers off it. And then he offered it the
third time; he put it the third time by: and ftill
as he rcfufcd it, the rabblement hooted, and clapp'd
■' or:f ofthefe coronets ;] So, in the old tranHatioii of P&-
tarch : " he came to Cxfar, and prcfcntcd him a diadem
wreathed about with laurel." Stbev e n s.
JULIUS C iE S A R.
259
their chopped hands, and threw up their fwcaty
night-caps, and utter*d fuchadeal of ftinking breath
bccaufe Caefar rcfufed the crown, that it had al-
moft choked Csefari for he fwoon'd, and fell down
at it : And for mine own part, I durft not laugh,
for fear of opening my lips, and receiving the bad
air.
Cjs. But, foft, I pray you : What ? did Caefar
fwoon ?
Casc^. He fell down in the market- place, and
foam*d at mouth, and was fpecchlefs.
Brv* *Tis very like; hehath thefalling-ficknefs*
Cas* No, Caefar hath it not; but you, and I^
And honeft Cafca, we have the falling-ficknefs,
CjscA, I know not w-hat you mean by that j but,
I am fure, Ciefar fell dovin. If the tag-rag people
did not clap him, and hifs him, according as he
pleafcd, and difpleafed them, as they ufe to do the
players in the theatre, I am no true man,*
£ru* What faid he, when he came unto himfelf ?
Cjscj- Marry, before he fell down, when he
perceived the common herd was glad he refufed
the crown, he pluck'd mc ope his doublet, and
offered them his throat to cut. — An I had been a
inanof any occupation,* if I would not have taken
him at a word, I would I might go to hell among
the rogues : — and fo he fcJL When he came to
4 mitnemajf.] No hoadV maa. Sec VoMV. ^315$
m. 5. MaLqm*
* a mm ^f any G€c»pt?fiOft^] Had 1 been a mecl^jaQlck, one
of the Fkbelans to whom he offtr'd his throat, Johns© w.
So, in dffiaiiinMJ, Atk IV, fc. vi t
•' — You that flood fo much
Upon tiic voice of ^icmf^Hm*
S 2
MALOtflp
26o JULIUS C^SAR.
himfelf again, he faid. If he had done; or faid, any
thing amifs, he dcfired their worlhips to think it
was his infirmity. Three or four wenches, where
I ftood, cried, AlaSy good foul! — and forgave him
with all their hearts : But there's no heed to be
taken of them ; if Csefar had ftabb*d their mothers^
they would have done no lefs.
Bru. And after that, he came, thus fad, away?
Casca. Ay.
Cas. Did Cicero fay any thing?
Casca. Ay, he fpoke Greek.
Cas. To what effecSt ?
Casca. Nay, an I tell you that, I'll ne'er look
you i' the face again : But thofe, that underflood
him, fmiled at one another, ahd Ihook their heads:
but, for mine own part, it was Greek to me. I
could tell you more news too : Marullus and Fla-
vius, for pulling fcarfs off Caefar's images, are put
to filence. Fare you well. There was more foolery
yet, if I could remember it.
Cas, Will you fup with me to-night, Cafca ?
Casca. No, I am promifed forth.
Cas. Will you dine with me to-morrow ?
Casca. Ay, if I be alive, and your mind hold,
and your dinner worth the eating.
Cas. Good ; I will exped: you.
Casca. Do fo : Farewell, both, [^Exit Casca.
Bru. What a blunt fellow is this grown to be?
He was quick mettle, when he went to fchool.
Cas. So is he now, in execution
Of any bold or noble enterprize.
However he puts on this tardy form.
This rudcnefs is a fauce to his good wit.
JULIUS CiESAR. 261
Which gives men ftomach to digeft his words
With better appetite.
Bru. And fo it is. For this rime I will leave
you:
To-morrow, if you pleafe to fpeak with me,
I will come home to you ; or, if you will.
Come home to me, and I will wait for you.
Cas. I will do fo : — till then, think of the world.
[£a7/ Brutus.
Well, Brutus, thou art noble ; yet, I fee.
Thy honourable metal may be wrought
From that it is difpos'd : * Therefore *tis meet
That noble minds keep ever with their likes :
For who fo firm, that cannot be feduc'd ?
Cadtar doth bear me hard ; ' but he loves Brutus :
If I were Brutus now, and he were Caflius,
He ihould not humour me.* I will this night.
In feveral hands, in at his windows throw.
As if they came from feveral citizens.
• 7%j bonourablf metal may he ^wrought
From that it is di/fos'd:'] The bcft metal or temper may be
worked into qualities contrary to its original conftitution.
Johnson.
From that it is difpos'd, i. c. difpos'd to. See Vol. XI. p. 1 85,
a« 2. Malone. '^
7 , doth bear me hard;] i. e. has an unfavourable opinion of
me. The fame phrafc occurs again in the iirft fcenc of Ad III.
Steevens.
* Iff 'Were Bruttu now, and he ivere Caffitu,
Hejbould not humour me.] This, is a rcflcdion on Brutus's in-
gratitude ; which concludes, as is ufual on fuch occafions, in an
encomium on his own better conditions. If I twere Brutus (fays
he) and Brutus, Cajftus, hejhould not cajole me as I do him. To hu--
mour £gnifies here to turn and wind him, by inflamhi? his paflions.
Warburton.
The meaning, I think, is this : de/ar l(rves Brutus, but if Bru-
tns and I *were to change places, his love Jbould not humour me, (hould
not take hold of my a£[c6lion, fo as to make me forget my princi-
pics. JOUNSOK.
S 3
262 JULIUS CiESAR.
Writings, all tending to the great opinion
That Rome holds of his name ; wherein obfcureljr
Caefar's ambition fhall be glanced at :
And, after this, let Caefar feat him fure ;
For we will Ihake him, or worfe days endure.
[ExiL
SCENE III.
The fame. A Street.
thunder and lightning. Enter ^ from optq/ite Jides^
Casca, with bis /word drawn, and (Jicero.
Cic. Good even, Cafca: Brought you Cxfar
home ? *
Why are you breathlefs? and why ftare you fo?
Casca. Are not you mov'd, when all the fway
of earth "*
Shakes, like a thing unfirm? O Cicero,
I have fcen tcmpcfts, when the fcolding winds
Have riv'd the knotty oaks ; and I have feen
The ambitious ocean fwell, and rage, and foam.
To be exalted with the threafning clouds:
But never till to-night, neveftill now.
Did I go through a tempcft dropping fire.
Either there is a civil flrife in heaven ;
Or elfe the world, too faucy with the gods,
Incenfes them to fend deftruftion.
Cic. Why, faw you any thing more wonderful?
• Brought jou Cafar borne /] Did you attend Csefar home ?
JoHKioir.
Sec Vol. IX. p. 328, n. 7, Malone.
^ —fway of earth — ] The whole weight or momentum of tUi
globe. Johnson.
JULIUS CiESAR. 263
CjiSCA. A common flave * (you know him well
by fightj
Held up his left hand^ which did flame^ and burn
Like twenty torches join'd; and yet his hand.
Not fenfible of fire, remained unfcorch'd.
Befides, (I have not fince put up my fword,}
Againft the Capitol I met a lion.
Who glar'd upon me,^ and went furly by,
* A commm Jlave &c.] So, in the old trandation of Plutarch:
•* a flave of the fouldicrs that did caft a marvelous burning
flame out of his hande, infomuch as they that faw it, thought he
had bene bomt ; but when the fire was out, it was found he had no
hurt." Steevens.
' ^^ glar'd upon me^ The firft [and fecond] edition reads :
Wfxt glazM upon me.
Perhaps, Who gaz'd upon me. Johnson.
Glared is certainly right. To goTu is only to look ftedfaftly,
or with admiration. Glard has a Angular propriety, as it exprefles
the furious fcintillation of a lion's eyes: and, that a lion fhould
appear full of fury, and yet attempt no violence, augments the
prodigy. Steevens.
The old copy reads — gl^^'d, for which Mr. Pop^ fubilituted
glar'dy and this reading has been adopted by all the fubfequent
editors. Glard certainly is to our ears a more forcible expreffion ;
I have however adopted a reading propofed by Dr. Johnfon, gaz'd,
induced by the following paflage in Stowc's Chronicle y 161 5, from
which the word gaze fecras in our author's time to have been pe-
culiarly applied to the fierc;e afpedl of a lion, and therefore may-
be prefumed to have been the word here intended. The writer is
deicribing a trial of <valour (as he calls it,) between a lion, a bear,
a ftone-horfe and a maftifF; which was exhibited in the Tower, in
the year 1609, ^^^ore the king and all the royal family, diverfc
^reat lords, and many others: •* — Then was the great lyon put
forth, who gazed awhile, but never offered to aifault or approach
the bear." Again : *' — the above mentioned young lufty lyon
and lyoncfs were both put together, to fee if they would refcue the
third, but they wouW not, but fearfully [that is, dreadfully] ^/7«<'</
opon the dogs." Again : ** The lyon having fought long, and
his tongue being tome, lay ftaring and panting a pretty while, fo
as all the beholders thought he had been utterly fpoyled and fpent ;
and upon a fodaine gaxed upon that dog which remained, and fo
ibon as he had ^^/i^ and ^worried, almoil deftntyedMrni.'*
S4
264 JULIUS CiESAR.
Without annoying me : And there were drawn
Upon a heap a hundred ghaftly women.
Transformed with their fear ; who fwore, they faw
Men, all in fire, walk up and down the ftreets.
And, yefterday, the bird of night did fit.
Even at noon-day, upon the market-place.
Hooting, and Ihrieking. When thefc prodigies
Do fo conjointly meet, let not men fay,
^beje are their reafons, — They are natural i
For, I believe, they are portentous things
Unto the climate that they point upon.
Cic. Indeed, it is a ftrange-difpofed time :
But men may conftrue things after their fafliion.
Clean from the purpofe* of the things themfelves.
Comes Caefar to the Capitol to-morrow ?
Casca. He doth ; for he did bid Antonius
Send word to you, he would be there to-morrow.
Cic. Good night then, Cafca : this difturbed Iky
Is not to walk in.
Casca. Farewell, Cicero. [£y// Cicero.
In this lad inftance^iTzVreemsto be ufed a.^ exadlly fynoayii
to the modem word glnr*d, for the lion immediatdy aftcrwaidt
proceeds to worry anci deftroy the dog. M a l o n b.
That^AzrVis no modern word, is fuflSiciently afcertained by the
following P^^^g^ ^° Macbeth :
" Thou haft no fpeculation in thofe eyes
*' That thou doftjf/tfr^ with."
I therefore continue to repair the poet with his own animated
phrafeology, rather than with the cold cxprcffion fuggefted by the
narrative of Stowe ; who, having been a tailor, was undoobtedty
equal to the taik of mending Shakfpeare's hofe ; but, on foetkil
emergencies, muft not be allowed to patch his dialogue.
STEBVEHt.
4 Cleain from the furfofi'^] Clean is altogether, entirely. See
Vol, VIII, p. 267, n, 7. Malone.
I
I
JULIUS C^SAiq
Enier Cassius.
Cas. Who's there?
Casca* a Roman.
Cas. Cafca, by your voice^
Casca* Your ear is good. Caflius, what night
is this ?
Cas. a very pleafing night to honeft men,
Casca, Who ever knew the heavens menace fof
[Cas. Thorc, that have known the earth fo full
of faults.
For my part, I have walk'd about the ftrects^
Submitting me unto the perilous night ;
And, thus unbraced > Cafca, as you fec^
Have bar'd my bofom to the thunder-ftone : *
And, when thecrofs bUie lightning feem'd to open
The brcaft pf heaven, I did profent myfelf
Even in the aim and very fiafh of it.
Casca, But wherefore did you fo much tempt
the heavens ?
It is the part of men to fear and tremble^
When the moft mighty gods, by tokens, fend
Such dreadful heralds to aftonilh us-
Cas. You are dull, Cafca; and thofe fparks of
life
That (hould be in a Roman, you do want.
Or elfe you ufe not : You look pale, and gaze,
And put on fear, and caft yourfcif in wonder.
To fee the ftrange impatience of the heavens :
But if you would confider the true caufe.
Why all thefe fires, why all thefe gliding ghofts,
* ihftndfr-fime *] A (lone fabuloufly fuppofed to ht diC»
charged by thunder. So, ia CymBeiittf :
•* Fear no more ihc light ning-flafh>
" Nor ihc aU*drcadaf /i^wai/rr^j^jw//* Stiivi mi*
366 JULIUS C/ESAR.
Whv birds, and beads, from quality and kind ; ^
Why old men fools, and children calculate ; *
Why all thcfc things change, from their ordinance,
Their natures, and pre-formed faculties.
To nx>nrtrous quality ; why, you Ihall find.
That heaven hath infus'd them with thefe fpirits.
To nuke them inftruments of fear, and warning,
Vn:o fome monftrous ftate. Now could I, Cafca,
N^me to thee a man moft like this dreadful night;
lliat thunders, lightens, opens graves, and roars
A* doth the lion in the Capitol :
A man no mightier than thyfclf, or me.
In jKrfonal adtion; yet prodigious grown,'
< Jf'hy btrJs^and henjli^from quality anihnd \ &C.] That is, WLy
they deviate from quality and nature. This line might perhaps M
jaore properly placed after the next line :
why birds ^ and beaftsf from quality and kind ^
Why all thefe things change from their ordinance* JoH KSoir.
^ and children calculate ;] Calculate here fignifies to forctel
or prophefy : for the cuftom of foretelling fortunes by jadicial
aftrology (which was at that time much in vogue) being performed
by a long tedious calculation, Shakfpeare, with his auial liberty,
employs the f/>ecies [calculate] for the genus [foretell.
Warbuetok.
Shakfpeare found the liberty eflablifhed. To calculate the moH*
vity, is the technical term. Johnson.
So, in The Paradi/e of Daintie DeuifcSy edit. 1 576. Altick 54*
figned, M. Bew :
" Thei calculate^ thei chaunt, thei charme,
" To conquere us that meane no harme."
This author is fpeaking of women. Ste evens.
There is certainly no prodigy in old men's calculating from their
pad experience. The wonder is, that old men ihould not, and
that children fhould. I would therefore [inftcad of old men^fMh^
and children^ &c.] point thus :
Why old men fools, and children calculate. BLACKSTONt.
' prodigious ^rooyisr,] Prodigious is portentous. So, 11^
Troilus and Creff/da :
" It is prodigious, there will be fome change,"
Sec Vol. V. p. 170, n. 7. Steeveks.
JULIUS CiESAR. 46t
And fearful, as thefe ftrangc eruptions are.
Casca. *Tis Caefar that you mean: Is it not,
Caffius ?
Cas. Let it be who it is : for Romans now
Have thewcs and limbs * like to their anceftors ;
But, woe the while ! our fathers* minds are dead.
And we are governed with our mothers* fpirits ;
Our yoke and fufferance Ihow us womanifh,
Casca. Indeed, they fay, the fenators to-morrow
Mean to eftablifh Caefar as a king :
And he (hall wear his crown, by fea, and land.
In every place, fave here in Italy,
Cas. I know where I will wear this dagger then ;
Caflius from bondage will deliver Caffius :
Therein, ye gods, you make the weak moft ftrong ;
Therein, ye gods, you tyrants do defeat :
Nor ftony tower, nor walls of beaten brafs.
Nor airlefs dungeon, nor ftrong links of iron.
Can be retentive to the ftrength of fpirit ;
But life, being weary of thefe worldly bars.
Never lacks power to difmifs itfelf
If I know this, know all the world befides.
That part of tyranny, that I do bear,
I can ftiake off at pleafure.
Casca. So can I :
So cwcTf bondman in his own hand bears
The power to cancel his captivity .'
• Ha<ue thewes and limbs — ] Thetves is an obfolete word im-
plying wrr'z;^/ or mujcular ftrength. It is ufed by Falflaffin the
Second Part of King Henry IV. and in Hamlet :
** For nature, crefcent, does not grow alone
" In thfives and bulk/'
The two laft folios, [1664 and 1685] in which fome words arc
injudicloufly modernized, rcaid ^ne*ws. Stbbvens.
9 ruety bondman — hears
Tb€fo<wer to cancel kis captivity.] So, in Cymbeline^ AAV*
Pofthumus fpeaking of his chains :
7
26S JULIUS C^SAR.
Cjs. And why fhould Cacfar be a tyrant then?
Poor man ! 1 know, he would not be a wolfi
But that he fees, the Romans are but (heep :
He were no lion, were not Romans hinds.
Thofe that with hafte will make a mighty fire.
Begin it with weak draws : What trafti is Rome^
What rubbifh, and what ofFal, when it ferves
For the bafe matter to illuminate
So vile a thing as Caefar? But, O, grief!
Where haft thou led me ? I, perhaps, fpeak this
Before a willing bondman : then I know
My anfwer muft be made : * But I am arm'd.
And dangers are to me indifferent.
Casca. You fpeak to Cafca ; and to fuch a man,
That is no fleering tell-tale. Hold my hand : '
Be fedious for redrefs * of all thefe griefs ;
And I will fet this foot of mine as far.
As who goes fartheft.
Cas. There's a bar^in made.
Now know you, Cafca, I have mov'd already
Some certain of the nobleft-minded Romans^
«* take this life,
<* And cancel thefe cold bonds'* H B N le T.
* My anfwer muft he made:'] I (hall be called to account, and
muft anjnuer as for feditious words. J oh nson.
So, in Much ado about Nothing : ** Sweet prince, let me go no
further to mine anfwer ; do you hear me, and let this count kill
me/* Steevems.
^ Holimj band:] Is the fame as, Htre't my baud.
JoHKSOir.
4 Be fadious/or redrefs ] Furious fecms here to mean aSivi.
JoHMSOlf.
It means, I apprehend, embody a party or faction. Malohi.
Perhap Dr. Johnfon's explanation is the true one. Mencmos,
in Coriolanus, fays, " I have been alvmys fa^iona/y on the part of
your general ;" and the fpeaker, who is defcribing himfelf, wooU
fcarce have employed the word in its common and anfiinnmbk
ienfe. Stiivens,
JULIUS CiESAIL 269
To undergo, with me, an enterprize
Of honourable-dangerous confequence ;
And I do know, by this, they day for me
In Pompey's porch : For now, this fearful nighr.
There is no ftir, or walking in the ftreets ;
And the complexion of the element.
Is favoured, like the work * we have in hand^
Moft bloody, fiery, and moft terrible.
Enter Cinna.
Casca. Stand clofe awhile, for here comes one in
hafte,
Cas. *Tis Cinna, I do know him by his gait ;
He is a friend. — Cinna, where hafte you fo ?
CiN. To 'find out you : Who's that ? Metellus
Cimber ?
Cas. No, it is Cafca ; one incorporate
To our attempts. Am I not (laid for, Cinna ?
CiN. I am glad on*t. What a fearful night is
this ?
There's two or three of us have feen ftrange fights.
« // fiivour'd, like the txwrk — ] The old edition reads :
// favors, like the avork
I think we ihoald read :
In favour'/ /iie the njDork ive lueve iu hand,
Mofi bloody, fi^% ohd moft terrible.
Fetuamr li look, countenance, appearance, Johnson.
Tofavomr is to refemble. Thus Stanyhurft in his tranflation of
tbe Third Book of Virgil's Mneid, 1 582 :
•' With the petit town gates favouring the principal old
portes."
Wc may read // favours, or — Is favoured — i. e. is in appearance
or oonntenance like, &c. See Vol. IV. p. 323, n. 3.
Stsb-vbns.
Pdbaps^^'fmcf is the true reading : So, in Macbeth :
" Some fay the earth
*• Wasy^rrew, and did Ihakc." Riip.
170 JULIUS CiESAR.,
Cas. Am I not ftaid for, Cinna ? Tell mc.
CiN. Yes,
You are. O, Caffius, if you could but win
The noble Brutus to our party —
Cjs. Be you content: Good Cinna, take this
paper.
And look you lay it in the praetor's chair.
Where Brutus may but find it ; and throw this
In at his window : fet this up with wax
Upon old Brutus* ftatue : all this done.
Repair to Pompey's porch, where you (hall find us.
Is Decius Brutus, and Trebonius, there ?
CjN. All but Metellus Cimber ; and he's gone
To feck you at your houfe. Well, I will hie.
And fo beftow thefe papers as you bade me.
Cas. That done, repair to Pompey's theatre.
[Exil Cinna.
Come, Cafca, you and I will, yet, ere day.
See Brutus at his houfe : three parts of him
Is ours already ; and the man entire.
Upon the next encounter, yields him ours.
Casca. O, he fits high in all the people's hearts:
And that, which would appear offence in us.
His countenance, like richeft alchymy.
Will change to virtue, and to worthinefs.
Cas. Him, and his worth, and our great need of
him.
You have right well conceited. Let us go.
For it is after midnight ; and, ere day.
We will awake him, and be furc of him. [£xrm/.
JULIUS C ^ S A R: xjt-
A C T IL SCENE I.
Tbe/ame. Brutus's Orchard.*
Enter Brutus.
Bru. What, Lucius! ho! —
I cannot, by the progrefs of the ftart,
♦ m. o£mtms's orchard.] The modem CiUtors rtsid gar/ffft, but
^rtbard feemf anciently to hare hsid the fame meaning.
Stecvens*
That thefe two words wttt anciently fynonymous, appears from
a line in this play :
*• — he hath left you all his walks,
«* Hb private arbours, and new-planted orchards^
•* On this fide Tiber."
In Sir T. North's Trartjiatjon of Plutarch, the paflagc which
Shakfpeare has here copied, ftands thus : " He left his gardens and
arbours unto the people, which he had on this fide m the river
Tyber.'
So alfo in Barret's Ahearie, 1580 : ** A garden or an orchard,
bortus." — The truth is, that few of our anceflors had in the age
of Qoccn Elizabeth any other garden but an orchard ; and hencd
the latter word was confidered as fynonymous to the former.
Malons.
The number of treatifes written on the fubjeft of horticulture,
CTcn at the beginning of Queen Elizabeth's reign, very ftrongly
controvert Mr. Malone's fuppoiition relative to the onfrequency c^
gardens at fo early a period. Stebvsns.
Orchard was anciently written hrt-yard-, hence its original
meaning is obvious. H e n l b t.
By the following quotation, however, it will appear that thefe
words had in the days of Shakfpeare acquiffd a diftinft meaning.
** It (hall be good to have ondcrftanding of the ground where ye
do plant cither orchard or garden with fruitc." A Booke oftbt Artt
€tnd maner hrwe to plant and graffe all fortes of trees, &c. 1574. 4tO.
And when Juflice Shallow invites Fal(la£Fto fee his orchard, wheie
they are to eat a lafiyears pippin of hit oav/r grafing, he certaioljr
vfes the word in its prefent acceptation.
TJ2
JULIUS CJESAR.
Give guefs how near to day, — Lucius, I fay!—*
I would it were my fault to fleepfo foundly. —
When, Lucius, when?^ Awake, I fay: What Lu-
cius t
Enier Lucius.
Luc* Caird you, my lord ?
Brv, Get me a taper in my ftudy, Lucius i
When it is lighted, come and call me here,
Luc. I will, my lord. l£jtiL
Bru. It muft be by his death : and, for my part,
I know no perfonal caufe to fpurn at him.
But for the general- He would be crown'd;^ —
How that might change his nature, there's the
queftion-
It is the bright day, that brings forth the adder;
And that craves wary walking. Crown him? —
That ;—
And then, I grant, we put a fling in him.
That at his will he may do danger with.
The abufe of greatnefs is, when it disjoins
Remorfe from power:* And, to fpcak truth of
C^far,
Lehnd alfo iti hU Itinerary diftbgiiifhes them, " At Morle tci
Derby (hi re (Tap he) ihcrc b ^ns much plcafnre of Qrchardi o£ grc^t
rnfiet)' of frute* and fair made walk*, andi^rdtms^ as ui any place
€f Lancafture/' Holt White.
'^ When, Lttemst when!] This exclamation t indicating liopa*
ticnce,, has already occurred in Khtg Rklmrd li i
" W%^Fj^ Harry* <w^€xt' StpevewSp
SecVoU VIU* p» 198, n.t, Malowe,
* Remorfe /rtfM/^^-wvr.'] Memorff, for mercy* WARBTntTon,
Rgm^iT {fays Mr* Heath J iigniftcs the confcious iincafiacli anilng
from a fenfe of having done wrong; to cxtinguini which fcclbg.
fiQthing hath fo grcai a tendency aa abfobtc uacontrgykd powci.
JULIUS CiESAR,
^7J
I have not known when his affedions fway'd
More than his rcafon. But 'tis a common proof,'
That lowlinefs is young ambition's ladder.
Whereto the climber-upward turns his face;
But when he once attains the upmoil round.
He then unto the ladder turns his back,*
Looks in the clouds^ fcorning the bafe degrees'
By which he did afcend : So Csefar may ;
Then, left he may, prevent. And, fi nee the quarrel
Will bear no colour for the thing he is,
Fafbion it thus; that what he is, augmented,
Would run to thefc, and thcfe extremities :
And therefore think him as a ferpent's egg.
Which* hatched, would, as his kind,* grow mif-
chievous ;
And kiU him in the fhelL
I think Warburion right* Johnson,
Rtm&rfi b ptty^ tcndernefs ; and has twice occurred in that fenfc in
Mra/urt/sr Mtajurt. Sec VoL IV. p, 136, n, 6 ; and p, 360^ n. 9,
The fame word occura in Othtlh^ and rcvcral othci of our author '•
dranus, with the Himc figniJicationt St e evens*
■ * c&mmm / rmf^ ] Com mon exper i men t • Johnson,
C^mman prv^fmctim a oiatter proved by common ex^rtV^a^ With
great deference to Johnfon, I cannot ihinJc that the word £x/rrimeirt
will bear that meaning. M. Masonv
■ ^ * Ettf mihtn he onct atimm the upmsft r^vJ,
W He ikem Htito tht ladder turns hh hack, StCp] So, in Dajuel'i
Cruii iP^ars^ 1602;
t** The afpirer, once attained nnto the top,
*' Gutfi otTthofe means by which himfclf got up :
** And witli a harder hand* and ilraighter rein,
L " Doth curb that ioofenefs he did find before ;
L •* Doubting the occafion like might ferve again ;
I *• His own example makes him fear the more/'
Maloete*
* &a/e dfjrvtf — ] Low ileps. JoHi^rsoir.
SOt in Ben Jonfon*s Sf/ami '
•* Whom when he faw lie fpread on the d^grett/*
Steeyiks,
^ Of Bii khtdA According to bit nature. JattKiON.
Vol. XII. T
274 JULIUS CJESAR.
Re-^nier Lucius.
Luc. The taper burneth in your clofet, fir.
Searching the window for a flint, I found
This paper, thus feal'd up ; and, I am fure.
It did not lie there, when I went to bed.
Bru. Get you to bed again, it is not dtv.
Is not to-morrow, boy, the ides of March f *
Luc. I know not, fir.
Bru. Look in the calendar, and bring me wonL
Luc. I will, fir. [Exit.
Bru. The exhalations, whizzing in the w.
Give fo much light, that I may read by them.
[Opens the letter^ and reads.
Brut us , thou fleep'Jl I awake ^ and fee tbyfelf.
Shall Rome l^c. Speak, Jirike, redre/s !
Brutus, thoujleep'jl ; awake, —
So» in Antony and Cleopatra : *' Yon mnft diink this* look J0i»
the worm [i. e. ferpent] will do his kind.'' Stesvi ns.
As bis kind does not mean, according to bis natmrtt » Johnfixi
aflert9« bpt like tbe reft of bis /pedes. M. Masoh.
Perhaps rather, as alltbo/e o/'his kbd, that is, nature.
Malovi.
< // not to-morrow, boy, tbe ides of March f ] [QMi copj^— the
frft of March. 1 We (hould read ides: for we can ncrer fappofe
tbe fpeaker to have loft fourteen days in his account. He is hoe
plainly ruminating on what the foothiayer told Csedir ( AA L (c. iL]
in his prefence. f — Bemfare tbe ides of Marcb.'\ The bpjr como
back and fays, &ir, Marcb is nvafted fomrteeu days. So that the
morrow luas tbe ides of Marcb, as he fuppoied. For March» May,
July, and Odober, had fix nones each, fo that the fifteenth of
March was the ides of that month. Warb vrton.
The corredion was made by Mr. Theobald. The error wA
have lx:en that of a tranfcriber or printer ; for our author witll0Bt
any minute calculation might have found the idet, nooeSy aad ka-
lends, oppofite the reipedive days of the month, in the Almncb
of the time. In Hopton's Concordancie ofyeares, 1 6i 6» Dovr hefive
me, oppofue to the fifietntb of March is printed Idrnt. Mai^vi*
JULIUS C^SAR.
^75
Such inftigations have been often dropp'd
Where I have took them up.
Shalt Rome &t. Thus muft I piece it out;
■ Shall Rome ftand under one man's awe? What!
Rome?
My anccftors did from the ftreets of Rome
The Tarquin drive, when he was caird a king,
, Speaks ftrike^ redrefs ! — Am I entreated chen*^
■ To fpcak, and ftrike? O Rome ! I make thee pfo-
■ mife,
If the redrefs will follow, thou receiveft
Thy full petition at the hand of Brutus !
Re-enter Lucius.
Lvc. Sir, March is wafted fourteen days.'
[Knock ztitbm*
Bru* *Tis good. Go to the gate; fomebody
knocks, [Exii Lucius.
Since CafTius firft did whet me againft Caefar,
I have not flept.
Between the ading of a dreadful thing
And the firft motion,* all the interim is
I
' -^— Am I ^Htreaiid thrn — ] The adverb thettt which cnforcet
ihe oitdlionj and is ncccflkry to the metre, wm judicioufly Tupplial
hf Sir Thomas Hanmcr, So^ in Kiwg RhhardlH :
f f . wilt thoa thttt
*• Spurn at his edifl? — ** STfiiVEKi,
"T Matik is 'wqflfJ fourteen ^ay/*] In former editions,
Sirt March is ivajtrii fifteen JajSt.
The editors are illghtly miilakcn ; it was wafted hut fmrttm
dap : this was the dawa of the 15 th, when the boy makes \\i% re*
|iorT* Theobald.
* Stiivttm thf a3iag of a dreadful thiftg
AftdthefiTfimatsQn^ ^c»] That nice cfitlc, Dionysus of HaU-
<aniairiis, complains, that of all kind of beauties, thofe great
ilroke^ which he cilb the urribk wracfs, and which arc fo ffeqoent
In Homcfj ant the rareil to be found b the following wricerg,
T 2
3t76
JULIUS C^SAR.
Like a phantafma/ or a hideous dream ;
The genius, and the mortal inftrumcntSj
Anion gft ODf countryTncn, it fccms to be as much cemiined ta i
Bridlh Homer. 1'his dcfcription of the condition of conrpiraton^l
before the execution vf their defign» has a ponip and terror in i|
that pcrfeflJy aftotiiihe^. The ejccelJent Mr, Addifon, whofe mo^
defty made him fometlmes diffideni of hb own genius, hut whoftf
true judgement aiways ted him to the fafcft |uidcs (as wc may fc*l
by thofe fine llrokcs in his C^/e borrowed from the Bhili^pm of
Ciccrt?) has para phra fed this fine defcriplion ; but wc arc Jio Jangcf
10 exped thofe terrible graces which animate his original ;
** O think, what anxious moments pfs between
" The birth of plots, and their laft fatal periods.
•' Oh, 'tis a dreadful interval of time,
" Fill'd up with horror all, and big with death." Cmi§,
1 (hall make two remarks on this fine imitation. The fifft ii, i
that the ftibjeds of the two confpiracies being fo ^ ery difereni (the j
fortunes of Carfar and the Roman empire being concerned in the
one ; and that of a few auxiliary troop only in the other) Mr,
Addifon could not, with propriet>s bring in that ma^i£^
circumflance which gives one of the itrnbU grata of Sli^fp^rcli
defcriptiea :
*' The genius and the mortal inflrumentB
*' Are then in council ; /'
For kmgdomst in the Pagan Theology, befidea thctf g^^
their f^ii gritmUt likcwife | reprefcntod here, with the n
ringftretch of fancy » as futing in confultatlon with the confp
whom he caUs their mmul inftrstmfnts* But t\\h, as we fay,
have been too pompous an apparatus to the rape and defertion
Syphax and Scmpronias. The other thing obfervable b, that ^
Aadifon was fo ft ruck and affcfted with thcfe terrihie gfue£s in ]
original, that inftead of imitating his author'i fentiments, bebath^l
before he was aware, given us only the copy of his own imf
made by them. For,
** Oh, 'tis a dreadful interval of tiroc^
*' Fiird op with horror all, and big with death.'*
are bat the affeaions raifed by fuch forcible images as ihdc :
** All the interim h
** llkt^phawm/ma^ or a hideous dr^m.
*' ^-^ the ftate of man,
" Like to a little kingdom, fufferi then
** The nature of an tafurrei^ion/'
Comparing the troubled mind of ;» confpirator to a ftate of I
chy, h juft and beautiful ; but the minim or intcrvalp toaa/
JULIUS CiESARl
Are then in council ; and the ftacc of man,
Like to a littJe kingdom j, fuffers then
The nature of an infurredion.
277
I
vifiovij or a frightful dream, holds fomcthbg fo wonderfully of
trt]th» sind liiyi ihc foul fo opept that one can hardly l!unk it pof*
fibk for any man, who had not fomc rime or other been engaged
in 1 coufpiracy t to gi^e fuch force of colouring to ntture,
War!iurton-
Thci^rr*^ of the Greek criticks does nott I think, mean fentimen^
which raije/fitr^ more than «uwWrr, or any other of ihe tumultuous
^iHoRs ; rl ^hof h that which T^rriw, which €ifiQmJhti with the ide*
dlhcr of fome great fiibjefl^ or of the author*s ahiiities,
Dr* Warburton s pompous criticifm might well have been
fhoitcncd. The gtnins is not the gmim of a kingdom ^ nor are the
iwfttmmrntx^ (Qnfphataru Shakfpearc is dcfcribin^ what pafies in a
Englc bofom, the inJurreBim which a confpirator feels agitating the
Ume kinrdiim of hts own mind ; when the gcnim^ or power that
watches for his proteftion, and the marial inftrumentSr tne paflionSj
which excite him to a deed of honour and danger, are in council
and debate; when the defirc of aftion, and uic care of fafcty,^
keep the mind in continual fluduation and diilurbance. Johnson*'
The foregoing was perhaps among the earlicft notes written by
I>r* Warburton on Shakfpeare, Though it was not infertcd by
Hm m Theobald's editions, 1732 d^xui 1740, (but was referv^ed for
kb own in 1747) Y^^ ^^ ^^^ prcviouily communicated it, with
Jinle variation, in a letter to Matthew Concanen in the year 17 id*
Sec a note on Dr^ Akenfide's Ode to Mr* Edwards, at the end
Gf this play, St e e vi k s.
^ There is a paffige in Trmhs and Crrfffda^ which bears fome re*
femblance to this :
** Imagined worth
*' Holds in his blood fuch fwoln and hot difcourfe,
m *• That, 'twixt hjs mortal, and hisadive parts,
H •* Kingdom 'd Achilles in commotion rages,
*' And batters down himfelf,"
Johnfon is right in aiterting that by the Gfnimt is meant, not the
Genius of a Kingdom, but the power that watches over an indivu
dual for his protedion»^-So in the fame pby Troilus fays to
Crcffida,
" Hark! you are eaird. Some fay^ the Gettim fo
" Cries, C^m^^ to him that inftantly muft die/'
Johnfon's ejcplanation of the word iftjlmmenu^ isjalfo confirmed
the following paflage in Macbeth^ whofe mind was, at the time,
which Brutus is here defcribing :
T3
I
27S
JULIUS C^SAR,
Reenter Lucius*
hue. Sir, *tis your brother CafTius ' at the door.
Who doth defire to fee you.
** — I am Tcttled^ and bend up
" Each corpQrai ageni to this ferrible fcEt.'* M. Masokt,
The word ftmm in our aDthor's time* meant cither *' a good]
angel or a familiar evil fpirit/' and is fo defined by BuUokai in tui j
B^^fifif Exp&fitor^ J 6t 6. So, in Maciieth *
" — and, under him, '
** Mygtffi^h fcbuk'd; as, it is faid,
" Mark Antony's was by Caefar's."
Again, in Atti^ny and Ch^patra :
" Thy d^mon, tliat thy fpirit which keeps thcc, u," Stc*
The more ufual fignification now affixed to this word was not
known till feveral years afterwards, 1 have not found it in tbe
common modern fenfc in any book earlier than the Di^tioiiirf
publiflicd by Edward PhiHips, in 1657.
■ M&rt^i is certainly ufed here, as in many other plac^^ for dtmd^*
So, mOMh:
" And you, ye m&rt^I engines," &c<
The moriai iH/humrv/£ then are^ the deadly paffions^ or as ttaf
are called in MQtkth^ the '* mQrtal ihaughis^** which excite cira
** corporal agent" to the performance of fome arduous d«ai.
The littk kmgdi^m of man is a notion that Shakfpcare feems to
have been fond of. So, K, Richard 11. fpealdng of hlmltilf:
" And thcfc fame thought* people thist liitU 'w^rii***
Again, in Kmg Lrar:
•* Strives in kii iiah 'world of nmm to outfcom
** The to-and-fro confl idling wind and rain."
Again, in King Jehif :
" — in the body of this ftclhly land,
" Thh imgdifm,^,"
I have adhered to the old copy, which reads — the ftate of « matw
Shakfpeare is here fpcaking of the itrdHfidml m wbofc mind ibo
genius and the mortal inftru merits hold a council, not of mant or
mankind, in general. The pa (Tage above quoted from Kmg Li^
does not militate againfi the old copy here. There the iadtvid^^
is marked out by the word ^/V, and ** #^ /i/tU -w&tJdafmutt" is thus
drcumfcribed^ and appropri^ited to Lear- The editor of the fecond
folio omiuod the article, probably from a millaken notion concern*
ing the metre; and aU tlie fubfcqucnt editors have adopcol
JULIUS CJESARi
279
I
Br
£/.
Is he alone ?
Luc. No, fir, there are more with him*
^Ri/. Do you know them?
Luc. No> fifi their hats are pluck'd about their
ears.
And half their faces buried in their cloaks.
I
aJtentiofL, Maoy words of two fyllablcji are uCcd by Shakfpcarc 3£
taking up the time of only one ; as nj^bcthir^ fithfr^ hrathir^ le^jtr^
geMiir, Jprii ; ^c, and I fuppoic cmncil t% (o ufed Heir.
The reading of t He old authcntick copy, to which I hayc adhcrttl,
is fappoited by a paOage tn Hamlet : " — What a piece of work ii
tf man/'
As cmncil h here ufcd m a monofyllable, fo is t^U in TltMi
•^ Lofe not fo mhh a friend on vain fuppofc/* Malonc,
InBuenced by the condudof our great prcdeceflbrs^ Rowc» Pope,
Warburtoa and Johnfon ; and for reafons Itmilar to thofe advanced
in the tiext note, I uerfiit in fuUowing the fecond folio, as our au-
thor, on rhii occauon, meant to \rrite vcrfe inftead of profe^—
The inftance from Hamkt can have little vvcight ; the anicle — a,
which is injunous to the metre in queftion, being quite innocent in
a fpecch decidedly profaick : and as for the line adduced from Taut
dttJr&nkus^ the fecond fyllable of ihe word^ — mhU^ may be melted
down into the fuc ceding vowel, an advantage which cannot be ob-
laioed in favour of the prefeni rertoration offtrcd t>om the firft folio*
Steevews,
Neither our anthor, nor any other author in the world, ever ufed
fuch words as f7/^rp irether^ Uver, g^^^^^* <S£c, asmonofyllableai
and though ^Ath^ther is fometimes fo cuntraflcd, the old copies on
that occiifion ufually print — ^uihere. It b, in fHort* morally impof^
fiblc that i'WQ fyliabies fhoutd be no more than sne. Ritsok^
* Lih & pbaniafma,] " Suidas maketh a difference between pkan^
t&fma and phoKtaJia, ^aj^ng thtt phantafma is an imagination, or
appe&fsmce^ or light of a thing which is not, as arc thofe fightci
vkhichc men in theiJ fleepe do thinkc they fee : bat that pkaHtafia it
the feeing of that only which is in \€tf deoh. Ln^vrnferm^ ' J7 ^•
>j£NDERS01«r«
** A phmts/Nft^ %s Bullokar, in hi* Ertg/r^ Exp^fmr^ 1616.
u a viiion , or ima gi n cd a ppcarance. * ' M a l o n e ,
^ ^aur hrathtr CafTius ] Ctj£im married Juma, Brulua*
filler, Steeveii§*
T 4
aSo
JULIUS C/ESAR.
That b)r no means I may difcovcr them
By any mark of favour/
Bru. Let them enter. \Exit LuciuiT
They are the faction. O confpiracy T
Sham'ft thou to fliow thy dangerous brow by night.
When evils are mofl free ? O, then, by day.
Where wilt thou find a cavern dark enough
To malk thy monftrous vifage? Seek none, con*
fpiracy i
Hide it in fmiles, and affability :
For if thou parh> thy native femblance on/
Not Erebus itfelf were dim enough
To hide thee from prevention.
£lJ/frCASSIUS, CaSCA, DeCILTS^ ClNNA^METELLOt
CiMBERj and Trebonius.
Cas. I think, we are too bold upon your reft:
Good morrow, Brutus ; Do we trouble you ?
Bkv* I have been up this hour ; awake, all night*
Know I thefe men, that come along with you?
Ca$. Yes, every man of them ; and no man here,
But honours you : and every one doth wilh^
You had but that opinion of yourfelf.
Which every noble Roman bears of you.
This is Trebonius.
* . - — gjry marh of /a^ottn] Any diftindion of countenance.
Fee Vol. IV. p-3ij, n. 5. Steeveni.
^ Fitr i/thu path, thj nati^vt fimhiance (m^\ If thou ^wmli m dif
true form. Johnson.
The faine verb is ufed by D^ayron in his Polj^/ha/tt Song U :
" Where, from the ueighhouring hills, her paflb^ Weje
A gain f in hh EpiftJe from Duh Humpkrty to Elfmr Coifhsm :
** J'aihm^yGang Henry's unadvifetl ways**' Steeveici,
JULIUS C^SAR.
as J
£ru. He is welcome hither*
Cas. This Decius Brutus.
l^MU' He is welcome too.
Cas* This, Cafca ■ this, Cinna ;
And this, Me tell us Cimbcr,
Bru* They are all welcome,
What watchful cares do interpofe themfelves*
I Betwixt your eyes and night ?
I Cas, Shall I entreat a word ? ["^bey wbifpef.
I Dec. Here lies the eaft : Doth not the day break
I here?
^^Cffcj. No.
^^CiN' O, pardon, fir, it doth; and yon greylines^
■ That fret the clouds, are meflengers of day,
I Casca. You (hall confefs, that you are both de-
" ceiv'd.
Here, as I point my fword, the fun arifes ;
Which is a great way growing on the fouth.
Weighing the youthful feafon of the yean
Some two months hence, up higher toward the
north
He firft prefcnts his fire; and the high eaft
Stands, as the Capitol, dire(flly here,
1£mu* Give me your hands all over, one by one*
Cas* And let us fwear our refolution,
Bga* No^ not an oath : If not the face of men/
4 __^ ^ iftirrpo/e themfdvcs ^c] For the &ke of meafurc I am
mOing to think: our author wrote as follows, and that the word*^
tkemfii^tr^ u an interpolation :
■ Whai fwaukful c^rfs da mUrf^fi hcPwixt
^ Yqut tyti md night f
Caf. Shall I exirfat a ^w^rd ? Stbivesis,
* N&^ mt an oath : If not iht fate nfrnm^ &C.1 Dr, Warburton
H'£)uld tt^d fsft tf mftt I but hb elaborate emendfation is^ I think,
crxoneouii The face p/ mm it the c^uMimanct^ die rrgardf the
I
%n% J U L I U S C i^ S A R.
The fufferance of our fouls, the time's abufc^-
If thefe be motives weak^ break otf betimes.
^am of Ac publick ; in other terms, hoff^ur and rr/iuioii&ti ; or tBe
face cf men may meari the dcjeifled look of the people. Jofiif ion.
So, Tully iff Caiiiiftfim — Nihil harum cm muhufqut fmnjtrwri /
Sbakfpcare ftiriucd this fpeech on ihc fot lowing pffage in Sir
T, North's tranflation of Flutsrch: — " The conipiratofs haviiig
never taken oaths to|€iheri nor taken or given an? cauiion or rfa-
ranee* nor binding themfches one to another by any rdigXDtis oathj,
they kept the raauer fo fecrei: to themfelvcs/' <Sct\ Steevess^
I cannot reconcile myfelf to Jolmfon*s explanaiion of this paflag?«
bitt belieiT we fliould rcad^ —
If not ^t faith of men, &c,
which is fupported by the following paflages in this vcjy fpccdi ;—
— — What other bond
Thao fee ret Romans, that ka^vefp^ke the fwtrd^
And fwii! n&t pahtr,~^
when every drop of blood
That every Roman bcar^ and nobly bears.
Is guilty of a feveral ballardy.
If her '
: do break th* fmalkfl particJe
Of anj prcmfje that hnth ^ff'Jfim^ bim^
Both of whith provc^ thit Brutus coniidersd ^fmih of mm ti
their firmeft fecuricy in each other, M^ Mason^
• In this fcntenoe, fi. c, the two firft lines of the fpteeh] at m
ievcral others, Shak^>carc, with a view pcihaps to imitate ihe ib-
ruprncfs and inaccuracy of difcourfe, has conftrnflcd the latter ptft
without any regard to the beginning, " If the face of men, the
fuiferancc of our fotils, kc. If thefe be nmpffitkmii ifibeiEbbc
motives weak/' &c. So, in The Tempfft :
"' I have with fuch pfovifion in mine ait,
" So fafely ofdcf 'd, that there is m fiul-**
" No, not fo much jienUtion/* Sec.
Mr, M* Mafon would read^f not the/fi/V^ of mefi — , If the text
be corrupt, faifh^ is more likely to have been the poet's word ;
which might have been cafily confounded by the cat with face^
the word exhibited In the old copyv So, in AmiQttj attd Ck&paitm:
" the manner of their deaihj f
" 1 do Dot fee ihewi bleed/*
AgtiOj in Kinw lUnry VL P. IIL
** Amfwith I heir hetpt only defend otirfehcs.*'
Again^ more appofitely, in ^?e Rapt ^f Lucnce ;
«* — You, fair lords, quoth fhc,
*f Shall plight your ImmnizhXt jaitht to racp" Malovi.
tne
I
JULIUS CiESAR.
aSj
And every man hence to his idle bed ;
So let high-lighted tyranny range on.
Till each man drop by lottery,* But if thefc^
I As I am fure they do, bear fire enough
To kindle cowards, and to ftcel with valour
The melting fpirits of women ; then, countrymen^
What need we any fpur» but our own caufe.
To prick us to redrefs ? what other bond.
Than fee ret Romans, that have fpoke the word.
And will not palter ? ^ and what other oath^
Than honefty to honcfty engaged.
That this fhall be, or we w ill fall for it ?
I Swear priefts/ and cowards, and men cautelous,'
*" Till ta£h man drop hj hiterj,'] Perhaps the poet alltided to the
cudi^m of deamati^ff, j* e, the ieletf^ion hy iet of every tenth foldier,
in a general muEiny, for punilhmait.
He fpcaks of this in C&riahnus :
** By decimation, and a ihhed death,
■* Take thou thy fcite,'' Steivens.
* 4mdmiiimt palter?] And will not fly from his engagements*
Cole in hi* Di^onary, 1 679* rccders to palter, by itrgk^erfor.
In M^chth it fignifiei, m Dr* Johnfon has obferved* to finffie with
ambiguous exprcffions; and^ indeed, here alfo it may mean to
J^^ I for he whofe anions do not correfpond with his promifes
ii properly cat led a fiufftr, M a l o n £ ,
* Senear prieftt^ &c*] This ii tniitAiod by Otw^*!
** when you would bind mc, is there need of oaths ?" itc-
Ftmte Prtfervfd* Johnson.
^ — — ffljff^iW,] Ts her© r-*wfiffw/, fomtni^t^ ittjidkui^
So, in Woman it a Wtatb<r€Qi:k^ iSizi " Ycc warn you, be ai
iamirims not to wound my integrity/*
Again, in Drayton's Mififia of ^tm Margaret :
" Witty, well-fpoken, cauulmi, though young*"
Ae&in, in the fecond of thefc two fenfcs in the romance of KjHg§
J^ffdjttnfThjft^ 1 6ro : " — a fallacious policy and r^a/e/^aj ivykJ*^
Again t in ILiiwjhfd, p, 94 J : '* the cmjieror's conncelt
ihcHigtit by a ^aittffi to have bnonghr the king in mind to fue for a
licence frora the pope- " S t e e v^ r»s,
Bnlbkar inhis £*^/i^ Exp^Jitor^ 1616, explains autteiom thus;
■* Waiii^ circumfpcd ;'* in ^vhtch fcnfc it h certainly ufcd here.
MiLoirt.
L I U S C iE S A R-
Old feeble carrions, and fiich fuflTcring fouls *"
That welcome wrongs; unto bad caufcs fwear
Such creatures as men doubt : but do not flain
The even virtue of our entcrprite,'^
Nor the infuppreflive mettle of our fpirits.
To think, that, or our caufe, or our performancCi
Did need an oath ; when every drop of blood,
That every Roman bears, and nobly bears^
Is guilty of a feveral bartardy,
If he do break the fnnalleft particle
Of any promifc that hath pafs'd from him.
Cjs. But what of Cicero? Shall wc found him?
I think, he will iVand very ftrong with us.
Cascj. Let us not leave him out,
CiN. No, by no means,
Met, O, let us have him ; for his filvcr hairs
Will purchafe us a good opinion,'
And buy men's voices to commend our deeds :
Jt fhall be faid, his judgement ruPd our hands 5
Our youths, and wildnefs, flvall no whit appear,
But all be buried in his gravity,
£ru. O, name him not; let us not break with
him;
For he will never follow any thing
That other men begin.
CjiS* Then leave him out,
Casca, Indeed, he is not fit.
* The even 'virtut of cur tnurfitHcet] The calm, equable, icbk
peratc fpirit that aftuatcs us. Ma lone.
Thus ifi Mr* Pope s E/ai/n tst Jhtiard :
'* Dcfires conjpos'd, affcdiom ever ^fff, — /* STiiiriiif.
' ^^ apirtioH^} L e. charafter. So* in Kmg Hettrj IF, F* 1 ;
** TUotj haft redeemed thy k>il e^mon,*'
The quotaiiofl b Mr, Reed'*. See VoL VIII, p, 58 jv n. 7,
-kAi
JULIUS CiESAR. uSs
Dec. Shall no man clfc be touch'd, but only
Caefar?
Cjis. Dccius, well urg'd: — I think, it is not
meet,
Mark Antony, fo well belov'd of Caefar,
Should outlive Csefar : We Ihall find of him
A (hrewd contriver ; and, you know, his means^
If he improve them, may well ftretch fo far.
As to annoy us all : which to prevent.
Let Antony, and Caefar, fall together.
Bru. Our courfe will feem too bloody, Caius
Caflius,
To cut the head off, and then hack the limbs ;
Like wrath in death, and envy afterwards : '
For Antony is but a limb of Caefar.
Let us be facrificers, but not butchers, Caius.
We all ftand up againft the fpirit of Caefar ;
And in the fpirit of men there is no blood :
O, that we then could come by Cfcfar's fpirit,^
And not difmember Caefar 1 But, alas,
Caefar muft bleed for it ! And, gentle friends.
Let's kill him boldly, but not wrathfully ;
JjcVs carve him as a difh fit for the gods,*
' ■ and envy a/ifrwards :] Ewvy is here^ as alrooil alvirap
in Shakfpearc's plays, malice. SecfVol. XL p. 6i, n. 9; and p.
ioi» n. 9. Malone.
-♦ O, that ive then could ceme hy Cafars fpiritf &C.] Lord Stcr-
Sne has the fame thought : Brutus remonft rating againft the taking
off Antony, fays:
" Ah ! ah ! wc muft but too much murder fee,
," That without doing evil cannot do eood ;
" And would the gods that Rome could be made free,
•* Without the efFufion of one drop of blood!"
Malone.
.^ ^^-^^asadi/hfitforthegods^ &c.]
*' Gradive, dedifti,
" Ne qua manus vatem^ ne quid mortalia bello
Sot
JULIUS Cj£SAR.
Not hew him as a carcafe fit for hounds ; *
And let our hearts, as fubtle mafters do^
Stir up their fervants to an a<fl of rage.
And after feem to chide them. This fliall make
Our purpofe neceilary, and not envious i
Which fo appearing to the comnnon eycs^
We fhall be call'd purgers, not murderers.
And for Mark Antony, think not of him ;
For he can do no more than Caefar's arm.
When Caefar's head is off,
Cas. . Yet I do fear him : *^
For in the ingrafted love he bears to Csefar, —
Bru. Alas, good Caffius, do not think of him:
If he love Csefar, all that he can do
Is to himfelf ; rake thought,^ and die for Caefar:
** L^cre tela queant, fanaum et vcncrabik l>iti
" Funuserat." Sfaf, ThrL VIL L 696* STEEtiKi.
* iVW htnj} him at a earcap fii fir huunit .*] Our alithor \\z^ pfO-
bably the following paflkgein the old trafiflarion of Phtarch in Hi
tliougTits ; " — C^far turned hjnjfelfc no where btit he was ftricfccn
at by fome, and ftill had naked fM^ords in hl^ face^ and was Imdd
and mmngiti among them m a nmid k^afi iaken *tf kmnurs*'
^^ Tft I do/ear Jbim:] For the fake of metre I hare fapplicd tlie
' auxiliary verb. So, in Macbeth :
** there h none but him
** Whofe being I da fear/' Stiefex!>,
^ ■ iah thughtj] That is, /*^rtt melancholy, Jotfifsoir*
So, in Attt&ny avd Cie^patra :
" What fhall wc do, ^obarbus ?
*' ThmkandSe/*
Again, in H&itJf^ed, p. 8j5 : ** now they were mthoot
fervice, which caufcd them to fah thmihit iofomiich that fonie
died by the way," 4'c. St££VE!i&,
The precife meaning of take thonghi may be learned from ilie
foHowing pa/Tage in St, Matthew, where the verb fbifi^«iap^ whic!i
fignifc fo afttkipatty or firth&de t<vsi^ ta fo lendered ; ** Tmh uo
thought for the morrow : fot the morrott^ ftiall i^^kt thoMgh for the
thing! of itfdf ; fiifficient aiiiQ the day i^ the eril mereof.*'—
JULIUS CiBSAlL ^
And that were much he fliould ? for he h given
To fports, to wildnefs, and much company.*
Tree. There is no fear in him ; let hiiB not die;
For he wiH live, and laugh at this hereafter.
[ClockJMkes.
Bru. Peace, count the clock.
Cjs. The clock hath ftrickcn three*
Trbb. 'Tis time to part.
Cas. But it is doubtful ytt,
Whe'r Csfar will come forth to-day, or no :
For he is fuperftitious grown of late ;
Quite from the main opinion he held once
Of fantafy, of dreams, and ceremonies : '
Csiias not only refers to, but thus explains, the pfirafe in qDelUon»
when, in anfwer to the adertion of Brutus conceminfi; Antony,
Aaill:
*' I know that we (hall have hini well to friend.'*
he replies:
** I wifli we may : but yer I have a mind
*' TYk^Xfian him much ; and my mi/gMagftiU
«« Falls (hrcwdJy to the purpofe."
To tmki ihwgbt then, in this inibnce, is not to tmm meUneholj^
whatever think may be in Antony ami CUofatra : H a n l i v.
Sec Vol. IV. p. 75, n. 6. Malonb.
s company.'] Company is here ufed in a difreputable fenie.
Sec a note on the word companion. Aft IV. Henley.
9 ^ite from the main opinion he held once
Of fantafy, of dreams, and ceremonies :] Mam opiniom, is nothing
.more than Uading, fixed, predominant opinion* Johnson.
Main opinion, according to Johnfbn's explanation, is fenfe ; but
mean opinion would be a more natural expreflion, and is, I believe,
what Snakfpeare wrote. M. Mason.
The words main opinion occur again in Troilus andCreffida, where
(as here] they fignify general efiimation :
*• Why then we fhoald our main opinion cmfli
'* In uint of our heft man/'
There is no ground therefore for fufpedingany corruption in the
text. Malonb.
7
i»8
JULIUS CMSAR.
It may be, thefe apparent prodigies.
The unaccuftom'd terror of this night.
And the perfuafion of his augurers.
May hold him from the Capitol to-day.
Dec. Never fear that : If he be fo refolv'dj
I can o'erfway him : for he loves to hear.
That unicorns may be bet ray 'd with trees.
And bears with glaffes^ elephants with holes/
Fantafy was in our author's Haie commonljr ufed for tmagifmUmt
and is fo explained iu Caw dry's Jiphdherkai TnhU ^f imrd ^ufords,
8vo. i 604, It iignified both the im*igl native power, and the thing
imaginedt It is ufed in the former fcnfc by Shakfpcare ia tC
Merij Wimei nf Windfir :
*' Raife up the organs of hcr^^/^»-'
In the latter, in ttve pre fen t play ;
" Thou had no figures, nor no faninjtis.**
Cer<m(imes means omens or ftgns deduced from facrificcs, or odicr
u nmmm I nXt^, So, afEcr^vardi:
" Ca:fart I never ftood on ctnmtmitt^
" Vet now they fright mC'
* Tl'fl/ umcQrm may he hit ray* d mihh tnn^
And htati rwith glaffe^^ tlephunti 'witb Wirx,] Uiuiorns Mt
Iktd to have been taken by one who, running behind a tree* dudcd
the violent pufti the animal was making at bim, fo that his honi
fpent its force on the trunk, and ftucJt faJl, detaining the bcaft till
he was deftiacched by the hunter.
So* in SpenfcrV Fatry ^ten^ B* 11* ch. v :
" Like as a I yon whofe imperial 1 powre
•* A prowd rebellious u/tkor/ie defies ;
'* T'avoid tberafti aflault and wrathful! flowre
** Of his fiers foe, him to n trre applies :
** And when him running in full courfc he ipies^
■* He {lips afide ; the whiles the furious beaft »
** His precious home, fought of his enemies,
*' Strikes in the iloeke^ nc ihence eau be releaJlt
*' Bui to the mightj'^ vidor yields a bounteous fcaft,"
Again, in Bujy D^Amhais^ 1 607 :
"An angry unkQrttf in his full career
•* Charge with too fwift a foot a jeweller
*' That wacch'd him for the trcafurcof his brow^
** And e'er he could get (heiter of a irtt^
*' Nail him with his rich antkr to the cajth-"
JULIUS CiESAR.
289
_ Lions with toils, and men with flatterers:
p But, when I tell him, he hates flatterers.
He fays, he docs i being then moft flattered.
Let me work : '
For I can give his humour the true bent ;
And I will bring him to the Capitol,
Cas* Nay, we will all of us be there to fetch him*
£ru. By the eighth hour: Is that theuttermoft?
On* Be that the uttcrmoft^ and fail not then.
Man Caius Ligarius doth bear Caefar hard/
Who rated him for fpcaking well ofPompcyj
I wonder, none of you have thought of him,
£ru* Now, good Me tell us, go along by him : '
He loves me well, and I have given him reafons ;
Send him but hither, and Til falhion him-
Bfan arc reported to bave been furprired by means of a mfrr&Tt
wBichrhcy would gazcon» affording tncir purfucrsan opportunity
of tmking the ftirrr aim. This circumftance, I think, is mentioned
by CUudian* Eie^kantt were fcduced into piifalh^ lighUy covered
«fiih hurdles md turf, on which a proper bait to tempt them, wai
^spoiei. Sec Pliny'* AW, Hijh B, VI 11, S refiVcNi.
* i^i me work :] Thcfc words, as they ftand, being quite un-
Oietncili I fuppofc our author to have originally written ;
Lff me to ^wtrh
L e« go to work* Steeveks^
* iffar C^far J^arJ,] Thus the old coj^^ but Meffieun
Rowe. Pope, and Sir Thomas Hanmer, on the authority of the
fecond and latter folios, read — mfn-d, though the fame cxprelTion
appears again in the fiHt fcene of the following at^ : ** 1 da
bdeech you, if you b^ar mt hard\'* and haa aJ ready occurred in
a ii^tmtt one :
'• Carfar doth ^tar me harJ^ buE he loves Brutus."
Stiivsn**
Haired was fubftitutcd for hard by the ignorant editor of the
(econd foItOp the great corriipter of Shakfpe^re s text* Malok i.
J by him r] That is. by hii houfe. Make that your way
botne. Mr. Pope fubftitutcd /^Yor hj\ and all the fubfetjucnt edi-
tors have idopiad thii unncccflafy change. Malon i.
Vol, XI L U
^9^
JULIUS C^SAR-
Cas. The morning comes upon us : Weil leav^
you, Brutus i —
And, friends, difperfe yourfelves ; but all remembej
What you have laid, and fhow yourfelves true Re
mans-
Bru. Good gentlemen, look frefh and merrily ; \
Let not our looks ^ put on our purpofcs ;
But bear it as our Roman atftors do,
With untir'd fpirits, and formal conftancy :
And fo, good-morrow to you every one,
[Exenni all tut Bru!
Boy ! Lucius ! — Faft aficep ? It is no matter;
Enjoy the honey- heavy dew of flumber:
Thou haft no figures,* nor no fantafics.
Which bufy care draws in the brains of men i
Therefore thou fleep'ft fo found.
Enter Portia*
For* Brutus, my lord?
Bru. Portia, what mean you? Wherefore rife
you now ?
It is not for your health, thus to commit
Your w eak condition to the raw-cold morning,
PoR* Nor for yours neither* You have ungcntlrj
Brutus,
Stole from my bed ; And yefte might, at fupper,
You fuddenly arofe, and walk'd about,
Mufing, and fighing, w ith your arms acrofs :
And when I alk'd you what the matter was^
* Lei mi <ntr Is^b ] Let not our faces /«/ w* tbst h^ ^ji^^
or fiffnjs^ ou r dcfigns. Johnson.
* Th$tt kafi m figures, ^f,] Figures ocean ia the ianae imk i^
the Firft Pan of Hrnry IF, Ad L fc. iii :
** He apprdiends a world otfignrtt^** H £ if L ir«
JULIUS Cif:SA
a^i
You ftar'd upon me with ungentle looks :
I urg*d you further; then you fcratch*d your head^
And too impatiently ftamp'd with your foot;
Yet 1 infirted, yet you anfwer'd not;
But, with an angry wafturc of your hand.
Gave fign for mc to leave you : So I did;
Fearing to ftrcngthen that impatience.
Which feem'd too much enkindled ; and, withalj
Hoping it was but an effe^ft of humour,
VVhich fometimc hath his hour with tvcry man.
It will not let you eat, nor talk, nor fleep ;
And, could it work fo much upon your fliapc.
As it hath much prevaird on your condition,"
I (hould not know you, Brutus* Dear my lord.
Make me acquainted with your caufe of grief.
£mu. I am not well in health, and that is all.
PoR. Brutus is wife, and, were he not in healthy
He would embrace the means to come by it.
Bri/, Why, fo I do: — Good Portia, go to bed.
PoR. Is Brutus fick ? and is it phyfical
To walk unbraced, and fuck up the humours
Of the dank morning ? What, is Brutus fick ;
And will he fteal out of his wholefome bed.
To dare the vile contagion of the night ?
And tempt the rheumy and unpurged air
To add unto his licknefs ? No, my Brutus ;
You have fome fick offence within your mind.
Which, by the right and virtue of my place,
J cmght to know of: And, upon my knees,
I charm you,* by my once commended beauty.
' Sit jimr conUmn,] On yoar temper j ihe difpofition oi
yourmmd. 'ikt Vol. IX. p, 494, n, y. Maloke.
* I ch^ttaj^A Thus the old
Hammer read — m
-mrge
copy, Mr, Pope and Sir Thomsui
but unnecdTarity* So, in Cjmlrlm *
u 2
^92
JULIUS C^SAR.
By all your vows of love, and that great vow
Which did incorporate and make us one,
That you unfold to nne, yourfelf, your half^
Why you are heavy ; and what men to-night
Have had re fort to you : for here have been
Some fix or fcven, who did hide their faces
Even from darknefs.
£ru. Kneel not, gentle Portia-
PoR. I fliould not need, if you were gentle
Brutus,
Within the bond of marriage, tell me, Brutus,
Is it excepted, I fhould know no fecrets
That appertain to you ? Am I yourfelf^
But, as it were, in fort, or limitation;
To keep w ith you at meals/ comfort your bed»*
*' •-- ^ 'lis your gracei
'* That from my mutcft confciencc to my tongue
•' Charms this report out.*' Steevehs,
t TehepfvjHh jfoii rrt meah^ &C-] " I beings O BfOtUS, (fif
flic) the daughter of Cato, was married vnto ihce, not to be ils|
llf^ddcfelbwc and companion in bf ddc and at horde onclie, UIet i
harlot ; but to be panakcr alfo with thee, of thy good Exid t
fortimc, Nowe for thyfelfe, 1 can finde no caufc of fatilte ia I
fouchinge our matche ; but for my parte, how may 1 Ihowt i
due tic towards thee, and how muchc I would e doe for thy fak«,
1 can not conftantlie beare a (ccretc mifchaunce or griefc with i"
which rcquircth fccrecy and fidelitic ? I confcfe* thai a wiointiil
wit com raonly y\ too weakc to keep a fecret fafely : but yet, Bnato
good education, and the companic of vcttuoua men» haue fon
power to rcforme the defcift of nature. And for my fclfe, I hia
this benefit moreouer : that 1 am the daughter of Cato, and '
of Brutui, This notwiihitandii^g, I did not trufi to any of i
things before ; vntil that now 1 have found by experience, that no
paine nor grife whatfoeaer can ouercomc me. With thofc worda
fhc fhowed him her wouode on her thigh, and toldc him whit ibe
had done to p roue her felfe." $ir Ti&moj Nmh*i Tnev/fftimtf^
PJttrarck Stieve^js, fl
Hen? alfo wc find our author and lord Sterlitie walking OTcr tbi
fimc ground;
JULIUS C/ESAR.
293
I And talk to you fometimcs ? Dwell I but in the
fuburbs*
Of your good pleafure? If it be no more^
Portia is Brutus' harlot, not his wife*
P Bru, You are my true and honourable wife;
As dear to me, as arc the ruddy drops
■ That vifit my fad heart/
I For. If this were true, thenJhouId I know this
I fecret.
I
I
" I was not, Brutus, march'd with thee, to be
<* A partner only of thy board and bed ;
" Each fervile w^hore in ihoft might equal me,
" Thai did hcrfclf to nought but pleafure wed*
** Ko; — Portia fpous'd thee with a mind t' abide
" Thy fellow in ill fortunes, good or ill;
** With chains of mutual love logethcr ty'd,
" As thofc that have two breads, one heart, two fouls,
one will.*' Juiiui Ca/ur^ iGq-}^ Maloke,
— comfort /<7»r htd^l ** is hot an odd phr^fe, and gives at
odd an idea," fays Mr. Theobald, He therefore fubftiCutcs^
rs^o/sTt^ Eut this good old word, however difo fed through modcrti
rehnemetit, was not fo difiardcd by Shakfpearc. Henry VII J. at
we read in Cavcndi(h's Lffi of Wdfey, in commendation of queen
Katharine, in publick faid, *' She hathe becne to me a true obedi-
ent wife, and a* CQmf^ti&hh as 1 could wiih/' Upton,
In the book of entries at Stationers* HalJ, I meet with the
Ibflowing ; 1 598. " A C^^vrr/atkn fftt'wefn a carefMl tVjft and
kir comforii.hle Hujlani* " Steevins,
In our marriage ceremony, the hufband promifes to comfort hb
'irifc ; and Barrett *s Al^tarit^ &r i^/i.irttpU DiiJi^arj, 1 ^80, Ciys,
tb*l 10 csmfirt is* ** to recreate, to folacc, to make paftime-*'
Colli HI*
^ in iht fuburbs — ] Perhap here \% an allnfion to the place
In which the harlots of Shakrpcarc*s age refidcd* So, in Beaumont
aod Fletcher's Msffjitur Thomas :
*' Get a new tniftrefs,
" Some y«i*ri hintt that fixpcnce, and fome oathi,
" Will draw to pa r!ey,** Steevens,
-* Ai dwati^i mf^ d:c.] Thefe glowing words have been adopted
by Mr. Gray in his celebrated OJe :
" Dear at the ruddy drop* that warm my heart — J*
Stievchs*
U3
^94
JULIUS C^SAR.
I grant J I am a woman ;* but^ withal,
A woman that lord Brutus took to wife :
1 grant, I am a woman ; but, withal,
A woman well^rcputcdi Cato's daughter.'
Think you, I am no ftronger than my fcx,
Being fo father'd* and fo hufbanded ?
Tell me your counfels, I will not difclofe them:
I have made ftrong proof of my conftancy.
Giving myfelf a voluntary wound
Here, in the thigh ; Can I bear that with patience,
And not my huftand's fee rets ?
Bru, O yc godsj
Render mc worthy of this noble w ifc !
[ KmcktHg witbitt^ \
Hark, hark ! one knocks : Portia^ go in a while j
And by and by thy bofom Ihall partake
The fecrets of my heart.
A. II my engagements 1 will con ft rue to thee.
Ail the charadcry ^' of my fad brows : —
Leave mc with hafte* [£a// PoRxt a.
* I gmnf^ I smimmm&fti &c,J So, Lord Sicrline:
" And though our fcx too talkative be dccni'dt
" Aa thoic wliofc tongues import our greateil pow'n,
*' For fecrets flill bad ircafuTcrs cfteem'dl ^
** Of others* gTcedVi prodigal of cm rs;
•* Good education may reform defe^ls,
'• And 1 this vaiitage kue to a vertuous life,
" Which others' minds do want and mine refpefe,
* A mj^man rweli-rfputeJ i Caf&'j dsttgifttr,^ By the exprtiiotf
^jt^U-repHtfd^ fhe refers to the eftimmioii in which ihe was held» n\
beinj thf ^ift tf Brutur ; whiM the addition of Cat&t d^mgkfr^ ^
Jrtiplies thaty^f might ^e ex f tiled t(i mhrit the f&tmtk ^irtmes nfhtf
faiker* Ith with propriety therefore, that ihe immediately alk».
Think you I am no ftronger than my fcx»
Bci ng fo father d^ and fo hujh&uded f HiiirLEV.
, ^ AUfht charaaery ] ip e, all that it chumSir'd on.
JULIUS CiESAR.
^9i
Enier Luc ma and Ligarius.
Lucius, who'ii that, knocks?'
Xt/e, Here b a fick man, that would fpeak with
you.
Brv. Caius Ligarius, that Mecellus fpake of.— 7
Boj% ftand aiide. — Caius Ligarius ! how?
i/G- Vouch fafe good morrow from a feeble tongue,
Belu. O, what a time have you chofe out^ brave
Caius,
iTo wear a kerchief? ' 'Would you were not lick !
The word has alrc«ly occurred in Thi Merry l^ives efWinifiu
St£EV£NS,
Sec Vol. IV. p. n%^ n, 3.
\
Malone*
"? miMi that^ kmchfA u c» who is that, niih§ knocks?
Our poet always prefers the lamillar language of converfation to
grammatical nicetyi Four of his editors, however^ have endea-
voured to ddlroy this peculiarity, by rcadio^ — who*s iherg that
knocks? and a fifth hai, ivh^is that, that knocks.' Ma lone.
• O, ^mhat a iimf hm^e jm chofi ttnt^ htavt Cairn ^
T& ^t?f4ir a hrckti/F] 80, in Plutarch's Lffr c^ Brufu/, trait*
Jlatc4 by North ; " — Brutus went to fee him being fickc in his
beddc, and fayed unto him, O Ligarius, in what a time art thou
fickc I Ligarius riiing up in his beddc, and taking him by the right
hande, fayed unto him, Brutus, (fayed he,) if thou haft any great
cfiterpriie in hande wonhie of thy fclfe, I am whole/' Lord
Stcrline alfo has introduced thiii paflige into his 'Juiim C^far:
*' By iicknefs being imprifon'd in his hed
** Whilft 1 Ligarius fpied, whom pains did prick^
■* When 1 had faid with words that anguifli bred^.
** In 'what a time Ligarmi art fkoujhk f
*« He anfwer'd (traight, as I had phyfick brought,
** Or tliat he had imagin'd my defign,
f« if^m^rthjtfthyJelfthm^tmmWftii^mght^
<" Then Brutm I am ^whote^ and ixiheiy thhe.*^
MULOKI.
U4
1^9^
JULIUS CiESAR,
LlG. I
^igarius,
not fick^ if Brutus have in hand
Any exploit worthy the name of honour.
Bru. Such an exploit have I in banc
Had you a healthful car to hear of it.
LjG, By all the gods that Romans bow before,
I here difcard my ficknefs. Soul of Rome !
Brave fon, dcriv'd from honourable loins !
Thou^ like an exorciftj haft conjur*d up
My mortified fpirit,^ Now bid me run.
And I will ftrive with things impoffible;
Yea, get the better of them. What's to do I
£ru* a piece of work, that will makefick men
whole*
LiG. But are not fome whole, that we muft make
fick ?
Bru> That muft we alfo. What it is, my Caius,
I ftiall unfold to thee^ as we are going
To whom it muft be done,
LiG. Set on your foot i
And, with a heart new^fir'd, I follow you.
To do I know not what : but it fufficeth^
That Brutus leads me on.
Brv. Follow me then, lExamL
I
My mortrfied /pirif.] Here, and in all other f^lacei wbere
word occurs in ShaJcfpcarc, to ^xora/emt^m to raifc fptrtu, not!
lay them ; smd I believe he is fingtilar ui his acceptatian of it.
M* Maioit'
Sec VoL VL p. 5 7 J, n. 3. Ma lone.
JULIUS Cj£SAR.
^97-
SCENE IL
7bi fame. A Room in Csefar's Palace.
Thunder and ligbining. Enter C^sar, in bis Nigbi^
gQwn^
Cms* Nor heaven, nor earth, have been at peace
to-night:
Thrice hath Calphurnia in her fleep cried out,
He/j>, bo ! Tbey murder C^e/ar, Who's within ?
t_ Enter a Servant,
Serf* My lord ?
Cms. Go bid the priefts do prefent facrifice.
And bring me their opinions of fuccefs.
Serf* I will, my lord, [£*!/•
' Enter Calphurnia*
C4L, What mean you, Caefar? Think you to
walk forth?
You fhall not ftir out of your houfe to-day*
Cms. Caefar (hall forth : The things, that threat-
ened me,
Nc*er looked but on my back; Mhen they fliali fee
The face of Csefar, they are vanilhed,
Oi, Cxfar, I never flood on ceremonies,*
* dr/art i nrver fioed m ceremonieB,] i. c, I never paid a ce-
rcmonioas or Aiperftiiious regard lo prodigies or oraens^
The adjefliveis ufcd in the ftim fenfc in Tkf Drviti Ckamr,
1607 :
%i^9: JULIUS CiESAK;
Yet now they fright me. There is one within^
Befides the things that we have heard and feen.
Recounts moft horrid ^ghts Teen by the watch.
A lionefs hath whelped in the ftreets ; .
And graves have yawn'd^ and yielded up their
(dead : '
Fierce fiery warriors fight upon the clouds^'
In ranks, and fquadrons, and right form of war/
Which drizzled blood upon the Capitol : ,
The noife of battle hurtled in the air,' ''
" The devil hath provided in his coveiuuiti
" 1 (hould not crofs myfelf at any time:
•* I never was fo ceremwious**
The original thought is in the oid tranflation of PUtMrd:
*' Calphumia, until that tinie« was never given to any finr or
fupcrftition." Steevens.
^ Ami jra^s barvt janun'Ji and jfuided up tJ^it[\d€ad : d:c.] So^
in a funeral fong in Much ado about nothing:
" Graves yawn, and yield ywx dead/*
Again, in Hamlet :
'* A little ere the mightieft Julius fell,
*' The graves flood tenantlefs, and the (heeted dead
** Did fqueak and gibber in the Roman ftreets.'*
Malohi.
. ^ Fierce fiery nvanion figbl ufou the doudt, t
In ranis, and/quadroniy and right firmi rf^var^ So» illTaci*
tus. Hiil. BtfV. ** Vi& per caslum concurrere acies« Didbntia as-
roa, & fubico nnbium igne coUucere'^ &c. Steetbks.'
Again, in Marlowe's 9«OT^«f/ef/(vr, 1590:
'* I will perfift a terror to the world ;
' ** Making she meteors that like armed men
" Are fecn to march upon the towers of heaven^
'' Run tilting round aboat the firmament,
'* And break their hnmipg liMonees in die ayre, ^
«' For honour of my wondrous vidories." M alone.
^ The noi/e of battle hurtled in the air A To hurtle is, 1 fuppofc,
to dafh, or move with violence ami noife. So, in SffyuMs JSmfersr
of the Turks, j 594 :
*' Here the Polonian be comes hurtling in»
** Under the condud of fome foreign prince."
JULIUS CjESAR.
^99
i^orfesdid neigh,* and dying men did groan j
And ghofts did fliriekj and fqueal about the ftrects*
0 Caefar! thcfe things are beyond all ufe^
And I do fear them.
Ces, What can be avoided,
,Whofeend is purposed by the mighty gods?
Yet Caefar Ihall go forth : for thefc predidlions
Arc to the world in general, as to Cxfar.
j CjL* When beggars die, there are no comets feen ;
LThe heavens themfelves blaze forth the death of
^ princes.^
" To tofs itie fpcar, and la a warlike gyre
f '* To hifrtU my (harp fword about my head.*'
!Sbikrpeare ufc* the word again in Ji ) W Liit a :
" in which luriimg,
*' From miferable flumW I awak*dg" SxEiviirs,
A gain J in The Htfiorj i>f drthf^r^ ?. L c, xiv : " '^^^7 mide
! ^xJth ihc Northumberland h^nsAh^ io hurtle together,** Bowtrp
To hnriit originally fignificd to pt^ violently; and, as in fucli
'fui s^ion a loud noife was frequently made, it afterwatds fcems to
1 lave been u fed in ihc fcnfc of t& clajh* So, in Chaucer's Canttthurj
♦' And he him hurtUth with his hors adoun,** Malone«
^ M^rjti did ndgh^^^ Thu! thefecond faUo* Its bhtndcring pre*
dficdktr read&;
Barjiu do migh^ S T E E V C M S,
■ WbfM htggMn dk^ ikerw are m comets /ern ;
Tkf ^«n^J!?i !i>emj}I^frh\^2J^/attk the dtath ff/'prinres.] •* Next
to the fhadows and pretences of experience, (wftich have been met
witbrtl! at large,) they fcem to Ijrag moft of the flrange event*
ifvhkh^ follow (for the moil f^n^) after hkmng fiarreii asif/^
■Hswr /iv fumm^neri ef Qsd /^ caii princes (q ifv /rat of /ftdgm/nt.
The fureil way to Ihake their painted bnh^^arks of experience is,
I by making phine, that neythcr princes always dye when ^i>meti
ypBT*^ nor cometa ever [L e* alw^ays] when princes dye/' Defin*
jmf^^ ^Samfi /^ ^t/tm g/ /iip/7/ld Prophtdrt, by Henry Howard,
TEarl of No rthampion , 1583.
Again, ikd: " Let us look into the naturr of a lemit^ by the
&ce of which it i^ fuppofed that the fame fhonld portend plague,
JAigjfl^ warrc, &r the dfath sfp&fifttaUu" Maloni,
300
JULIUS CESAR.
Cms*
Cowards die many times before their
deaths ; ^
The valiant never tafte of death but once*
Of all the wonders that I yet have heard/
It feems to me moft ft range that men (liould fear;
Seeing that deathj a necefTary end,^
Will come, when it will come*
Re-enter a Servant,
What fay the augurers?
They would not have you to ftir forth to-
day.
Plucking the entrails of an offering forth.
They could not find a heart within the beaft.
Sekv.
T Cmj^ards dit mmj ttmtt hfort ihtir deatht ;] So, in the aad-
ciit tranflation of Pinfanh^ fa often quntcd :
** When fome of his friends did counfel him to hare a gward
for the fafery of his perfon ; he would never con fen t to it, bui
faid, it wai bcCter lu die once, than always to be afrtyed of
death/* Stebve^js^
So, in Mardon's Injatiau C^unuj$^ 1613 S
•* Fear \\ my valTal ; when I frown, he flics,
** yf hundred timet in life a {m^i^ard diet.**
Lord EITcx, probably before nny of ihcfe writen, made ihc
fame remark* In a letter to lord Rutland, he obferves, " that is
he which dieih nobly, doth live for ever, foh* ikm d^th imt m
ftar, tkih dk emtinttailjn' Malone*
■ thai / yef h&^e ketirdf] This fcntlment appears la bm
teen imitated by Dr< Young in his tragedy of Mujirk Kktg y
" ■ Didft thou e'er fear !
" Sure 'tis an art; I know not how to fear:
'* *Tis one of ihe few things beyond my poucr;
" And if deaih muft be fcar'd before 'tis k\i^
" Thy mailer is immortal-" Steeviks*
» ^^demh^ m necfffkry end^ &c,] Thi* is a fentence denved
frona ihefloicsddo^lriae ofpredclUnaiion, andbthercfbic Jjnpiiiper
ia the mouth of C^efar, Jqhnivx.
JULIUS CiESAR,
301
Cms* The gods do this in Ihamc of cowardice :
Csefarfhould be a bcaft without a heart.
If he ihould ftay at home to-day for fear.
No, C^cfar lliall not i Danger knows full well^
That Caefar is more dangerous than he*
We were' two lions littered in one day,
And I the elder and more terrible ;
And Cjefar lliall go forth.*
* injhame &f to^vardke ;] The ancients did not place con*
fmgc hwt wifdom in the heart. Johnson.
i ^f were ] In old editions :
Wc hnre
The copies h^\t been all corrupt, and ttie paRaie, oF courfep
iminccllmble* But the flighc alteration, I have ttias.k, [We *weri^
fcitores fcnfe to ihc whole ; and the fentimeiit will neither be un-
worthy of Shakfpeare, nor the boaft too extravagant for Cicfar ia
A x^n of vanity to utter: that he and danger were two twin-wKelpi
of a lion, and he the elder, and more terrible of the two,
Thcoiald.
Mr. Upton recomnienda us to read :
Wcifrr
Thii rdcmbles ihc boaft of Otho :
Exptrti mn/icem fumm^ Eg9 ii Formfra* Tacitii3p
Steeveni.
It b not eafy to determine, which of the two reading ha* the
bell claim to a place in the text^ If Tlieobald's emendation be
adopted c the phrafeology, though Icfs elegant, is perhaps more
Shakfperian. It may mean the fame as if he had written,^ — Wc
two lions *ivfrf littfrd \n one day, and I am the elder and more
terrible o f t he t wo . M a l o n e ,
-• C^Jf/rJifaii £0 foriL} Any fpcech of Cscfar, throughout
this fteoe, wdl appear to difadvantage, if compared with the fol-
lowing feniiments, put into his mouth by May, in the feventh
book of his Suf>pi£mefii to Lucan :
Plus me, Calphumia* lufhis
Et lachrymnie movere tua, quam trlRia vatum
Refponla, infaufta* volucrcs, aut ulla dicrum
Vana fyperftitio poterant. Oftenta timere
Si nunc inciperem, qua? non mihi tempo ra pcTfthac
Anxia tranfirent ? quae lux jucunda maneret ?
Aut qu3C Ubertas f fruftra fervire limort
{Dum nee luce fnii, tiec moitem arcere llcebit)
302
JULIUS CAESAR.
CaL.
Alas.
my
lordj
Your wifdom is confum'd in confidence,
Do not go forth co-day : Call it my fear^
That keeps you in the houfcj and not your own.
We'll fend Mark Antony to the fenace-houfe j
And he Jliall fay> you are not well to-day :
Let me, upon my knee, prevail in this*
Cms. Mark Antony ftiall fay> I am not well;
And, for thy humour, I will flay at home.
Enier Dec i us.
Here's Decius Brutus, he fhall tell them fo-
Dec. Caefar, all hail! Good morrow, worthy
Ciefar :
I come to fetch you to the fenate»houfe»
Cms. And you are come in very happy time.
To bear my greeting to the fenators.
And tell them, that I will not come to-day :
Cannot, is falfe; and that I dare not, falfer;
I will not come to*day : Tell them fo, Decius*
Cal* Say, he is ficL
Cms. Shall Csefar fend a lie?
Have I inconqucft ftretch'd mine arm fo far.
To be afeard to tell grey -beards the truth?
Decius, go tell them, Caefar will not come.
Dec* Moft mighty Caviar, let me know fome
caufe.
Left I be laugh'd at, when I tell them fo.
Cms. The caufe is in my will, I will nor come;
That is enough to fatisfy the fenate.
Cogar, et hitic capiti quod Roma veretur, amfpac
.las dabir, ^t vaaus fcmper domlnRbitur augyr.
JULIUS CyESAR.
S^
Bur, for your private fatisfadion,
iBecaufc I love you, I will let you know.
Calphurnia here, my wife, ftays mc at home ;
She dreamt to-night fhefaw my ftatua/
Which like a fountain, with a hundred fpouts,
^id run pure blood ; and many lufty Romans
Came fmiling, and did bathe their hands in it.
And thefedocs flie apply for wariiingSj portents/
And evils imminent ; ^ and on her knee
^Hath begg'd, that I will ft ay at home to-day,
Dec. This dream is all amifs interpreted ;
It was a vilion, fair and fortunate:
Your ft^atue fpouting blood in many pipes.
In which fo many fmiling Romans bath'd.
Signifies, that from you great Rome fhall fuck
Reviving blood ; and that great men fhall prefs
For tinctures^ ftains^ rclicks, and cognizance.*
s mjjiatvz,] See Vol* III. p. 27^, n. 8; and Vol. X*p,
1594,0.^. Steevehs*
* twartfiifgSf f^rrenif,] Old copy^ unmctrical!/, — ^waraingi
^ir/ portents^ Steevens,
1 And ruiii immifieMt ;] The late Mr, Edwards was of opinion
tlut wc fbould read :
0£ evi/s immiffenL Steevexs*
The altcfadon propofcd by Mr, Ed^^-ards b nrcdlefi^ and tends
to \veakcn the force of rhc expreffions^ w*hich form, as ihty now
fla nd^ a regular climax, H e n l i v ,
' * — — aft J that g rtat mea fiall prep
I F^t ttn^res, ftains, relkks, and tcpiizaAa.} This fpecch,
which h mtendonally pompous, is fomcwhat confuted* There sre
i iwo allufiom; one to coals arroorial, to which princes make addK
tions, or give new tinSurfM^ and new marks of cozmzatite \ the
other to martyrs, whofe reliqucs are prefervcd with veneration.
The Romans, fays Dccius, all come to you as to a faint* for re-
liqoe^j as to a prince, for honours, joKSfsoM*
I 1 believe tin^urts has no relation to heraldry , but means merely
Imndkcrcliicfs, or other linen » Hfiged with blood. Bullokar in his
3«*
JULIUS C^SAR,
This by Calphurnia's dream is fignify'd.
Cms. And this way have you well expounded it.
Dec, I have, when you have heard what 1 can
fay:
And know it now ; The fcnate have concluded
To give> this day, a crown to mighty Caefar,
If you {hall fend them word, you will not come.
Their minds may change. Bcfides, it were a Qfiock
Apt to be rendered, for fome one to fay.
Break up the Jenate Hit amthet iime^
When C^far^s wife Jball meet with better dreams^
If Caefar hide himfelf, Ihall they not whifper,
1^, defar is afraid?
Pardon me, Caifar ; for my dear, dear love
To your proceeding bids me tell you this ;
And reafon* to my love is liable.
Cms* How foolilh do your fears fcem now,
Calphurnia?
I am alhamed I did yield to them. —
Give me my robe, for I will go : —
Bxpofiisr^ t6i6, dctines it " a dippings colouring or llainiag of i
thing-'' So, in Aft III. fc- ii :
*• And dip ihtir napkins,*' &:ct Malokb.
I concur in opinion with Mr. Malone, At the ocecntjon of
fevcral of our ancient nobility^ fnanyr^, &c. we arc told that hind-*
kerchiefs i^-exie tinctured with their blood, and prcfervcd &s aSkc-^
tiona ce or fal u ta r^- me m or ials o f the dccca fed* Stievens.
' When C^far^s ^uife Jhall mitt 'with beti^r drtamsJ\ So, ii
Lord Stcrline*s Jiflim Cepjar^ 1607 :
" How can we fatisfy the world's conceit,
" Whofe tongues ftilHn all cars your praifc procJaims ?
•* Or fhall we bid them leave to deal in Itate,
•* Till that Calphurnia firll have better dfcanif ?"
Malouk
« j§Hd ttafin &c.] And reafon, or propriety of condu^ lad
language t U Aibordinate to my love. Juh »Aa$t,
I
JULIUS C-ESAR,
3«$
Enter PuBLri/s, Bruti/s, Ligariijs, Meteli,0s,
Casca, Trebonius, and Cinna-
And look where Pablius is come to fetch me.
Pub. Good morrow, Caefan
Cms. Welcome, Publius. —
What, Brutys, arc you Hirr'd fo early too? —
Good-morrow, Cafca* — Caius Ligarius,
Caefar was ne'er fo much your enemy,
As that fame ague which hath made you lean* —
What is't o'clock ?
■ Br.u* Csefar, 'tis ftrucken eighth
I Cms^ I thank you for your pains and courtefy.
I Sec
I
Enter Antony,
Sec ! Antony, that revels long o'nights,
Is notwithftanding up ;
Good morrow, Antony,
Ant. So to moft noble Caefar*
Cms. Bid them prepare within: —
1 am to blame to be thus waited for, —
Now, Cinna : — Now, Metellus : — What,Trebomus f
I have an hour's talk in ftore for you ;
Remember that you call on me to-day:
Be near me, that I may remember you*
Tree. Csefar, I will: — and fo near will I be,
[AJide.
That your beft friends fliall wifh I had been further.
Cw, Good friends, my in. and tafte fome wine
with
me:
And we, like friends, will ftraightway go together.
Vol. Xn, X
3o6
JULIUS CjESAR.
Brv, That every like is not th^ fame^ O Cafar^
The heart of Brutus yearns to think upon !
[ExeunL
SCENE IIL
The fame. A Jireei near the Capit&L
Enter A r t e Nf i dor u s, reading a paper.
Art. Caefar, beware of Brutus ; take heed of Caf-
fius ; come not near Cafca ; have an eye to Cinna ;
/ri(/? mi Trebonius; mark well Mctellus Cimber;
Decius Brutu« loves tbee not % thou hajl wronged Caius
Ligarius. There is hut one mind in all the/e mew,
and it is bent againft Csefar. If thou be'ft not immur^
tat, look about you : Security gives way to con/piracy*
The mighty gods defend thee ! Thy l$ver^
Artcmidonis*
Here will I ftand, till Caefarpafs along^
And as a fuitor will I give him this.
My heart laments, that virtue cannot live
Out of the teeth of emulation.'
If thou read this, O C^far, thou may 'II live;
If not^ the fates with traitors do contrive.* [EiriX
' Thjiovtr^l Seep- Z07, n* jm MiiLoiri,
9 ^^^muliifkH,} Here* a* oq many other cjccafions, ihisiroiid
u ufcd in an unfavourable fenfe, foincwhat Iikc<^la^tous* emwm,
or malicious rivalry. So, m Trmim and Crfffida :
*• Whilft f/mdation m the army crept." STEtviNS.
* -^— r^ fatei *wkh iraitarf S contrive,] The &tef J^dm mk^
tmton i n cmtri^'ing thydeKrudlion. Johksok.
JULIUS CiESAR.
307
SCENE IV,
Vbe/ame. Anoiber part of tbe/mnejlreet^ before thi
boufe of Brutus*
Enter Portia and Lucius,
PoR. I pr*ythec, boy, run to the fenate-houfc ;
Stay not toanfwer me, but get thee gone:
Why doft thou ftay ? *
iirc. To know my errand, madam.
Pom* I would have had thee there, and here again.
Ere I can tell thee what thou fhould*ft do there. —
0 conftancy, be ftrong upon my fide !
Set a huge mountain 'tween my heart and tongue !
1 have a man's mind, but a woman's might.
How hard it is for women to keep counfel ! —
Art thou here yet ?
Luc* Madam, what Ihould I do?
Run to the Capitol, and nothing elfe? ;
And fo return to you, and nothing elfe?
pQR, Yes, bring me word, boy^ if thy lord look
well.
For he went fickly forth : And take good note»
What Caefar doth^ what fuitors prefs to him*
Hark J boy ! what noife is that ?
Lvc. I hear none, madam*
PoR.
Pr'ythee, liften well :
* Whj JW thm flay P 5rc,] Shakfpeare has e%prefled the per-
[ fufbanon of Km fRkBar J the third's mind by ihefamc mcident i
** Dufl, unmindful villain 1
'* Why ftay 'ft thou here, and go'fl not to the duke ?^—
Car, f irll, mighty liege, leU mc your highnefs* pleafupCp
*• V^liat from your grace I (hall deliver 10 him,"
X a
joS
JULIUS CiESAR,
I heard a bu filing rumour, like a fray»
And the wind brings it from the CapitoL
Lu€^ Sooth J madanij I hear nothing,
£«/^r Soothfaycn*
PoR. Come hither* fellow':
Which way haft thou been ?
Sooth, At mine own houfc, good lady,
PoR. What is't o'clock? M
So or it. About the ninth hour, lady,
I i*OA. Is Csefar yet gone to the Capitol ?
— Joor/i- Madam J not yet ; I go to take my ftand,
To fee him pafs on to the Capitol. M
PoR. Thou haft fome fuit to Caefar, haft thou "
not?
JooTH. That I have, lady: if it will pleafe Cse-
far
To be fo good to Caefar, as to hear me,
1 ftiall bcfeech him to befriend himfelf.
PoR. Why, know 'ft thou any harm's intended
towards him?
Sooru. None chat I know will be, much that 1
fear may chance/
Good morrow to you. Here the ftreet is narrow:
* Ettfer Smih/qy^n} The introdyflion of the Sooth fmy cr htrt h
unnccciTary, and, I think, improper* Alt that hr is made* I«&t.
ftiould be given to Artcmidorus ; who is fccn and accoilcd by Portii
ill his pailaEc from his tirft Aand, p. 306, to one more coDrauentf
p. 309, TynwtfiTT,
^ N^i th^t i ku&^ ^wt/i ^ff mmth ihat I/i^r may chance.] Sir
Thorn ai Hanmer, very judicioufly m my opinion » oniit» — m^
thattce, which I regard as interpolated words ; for they rci&det tiie
line too long by a igot^ and the fcafe is complete without tbcnu
STfiriid-
JULIUS CiESAR,
309
The throng that follows C^far at the heels.
Of fenators, of praetors^ common fui to rs^
Will crowd a feeble man almoft to death :
111 get mc to a place more void^ and there
Speak to great Casfar as he comes along* [Exii^
PoR. I muft go in.^ — Ah me I how weak a thing
TTie heart of woman is ! O Brutus !
The heavens fpeed thee in thine enterprize!
Sure, the boy heard me : — Brutus hath a fuit^*
That Caefar will not grant. — O, I grow faint:—
Run, Lucius, and commend me to my Iord|
Say^ I am merry : come to me again.
And bring me word what he doth fay to thee,
[Exenni*
ACT IIL SCENE L
The fame. fheCapiidi the Senate Jitting,
A crowd of people in the fireet leading ia the Capital i
mmng them Artemidorus, and the Soothfayer.
Fiourijb. EnterCMSARj, Brutus^ Cassius, Casca,
Decius, Metellus^Tresonius, Cinna, Akto*
NY, Lepidus, PopiLius, PuBtlus, and Others,
Cm^* The ides of March are come.
Soorif, Ay, Csefar; but not gone.
jiMT* Hail, Casfar ! Read this fchedule.
Dec* Trebonius doth defire you to o'er-read^
At your bcft Icifure, this his humble fuit,
— Bmtm tath a fmif, &c.] Thcfc wox^% PortU addreflci to
Ludus^ to deceive him, by aflrgning a falfc caafe for her prefcflt
peniiTb4tioii « Malokie*
X3
3*0
JULIUS C-SSAR.
I
Art* O, C^far, read mine firft; forminc*i a
fuit
That touches Csefar nearer : Read it, great C^faj.
Cms, What touches us ourfelf, Ihall belaft ferv'd.
Art. Delay not, Csefar ; read it inftantly.
Cms. What, is the fellow mad ?
Pub* Sirrah, give place.
Cas* What, urge you yourpetitions in the ftreet?
Come to the Capitol,
Csefar enlers the Capitol^ the reji fQllGwing*
AH (be Senator $ rife*
PoF, 1 wifh, your enterprize to-day may thrive,
Cas* What enterprize, Popilius?
Pop, Fare you well, [advances ia C^Iar.
*Sru* What faid Popilius Lena?
Cas. He wifti'd, to-day our enterprize might
thrive,
I fear, ourpurpofe is difcovered.
Bru. Look, how he makes to Caefar : Mark him*'
Cas, Cafca, be fudden, for we fear prevention, —
Brutus, what ftiall be done? If this be known,
Caffius or Csefar never fhall turn back/
' Mark him^} The metre being here impcrie^, I thiiiki we
Ihoald be at libcrry to read : — Mark him ^fH, So^ ixi the pper
read by Artemidorus, p, 506, — " Mark *weU Metcllui Cimber/*
• Cff0Mj or Ca^/ar wi^tr fisU turn kuck^ I bdievc ShakfpOlC
wrote :
Citffiui on Ctrf^mt^tt fiall turn AtffI,
The next line ftrongly fupports this conjeflure. If the confplfigr
fiTAi dtfcovcrcd^ arvti the aSaffmation of C^far rendered impn^i-
cable by " prtn>tntum^* which is the cafe fuppofcd, Ca^ut ^bk^
luve no hope of being able to prCYCiit Csiar uom *' lufoiiig back**
7
JULIUS CjESAR. jri
For I will flay myfelf.
Bmu. Caffius^ be conftant:
Popilius Lena fpeaks not of our purpofes ;
For^ look, he fmiles, and Cxfar doth not change-
I
falVowinr ** turn back to be uM for rwittrtf back) ; and in all events
this coTifpincor*s " 'laying hmfr!/*' could not produce that cfltft,
CalTtys had originally come w'nh a dciign to aiTatHiiate C^far, or
£\t m the attempt, aiid thcfcfore there could be no queftion n&^
concerning ffw or tbt ^thtr of them falling. The <|i3Cition now
ilated b, if the plot was difcovcrcd, and iheirfchcme could not be
cffc^ed, how each confpirator (houtd a^ ; and CaiHus declares,
that, if this ihould prove the cafe, he will not endeavour to fave
himfdf by flight from the DifUtor and \a% partizans, but inftintl/
put an end to his o^vn life.
The palTagc in Plutarch % life of Bnitui, which Shakfbcarc ap-
pears to have had in hii thoughts, adds fuch flrcngfh to inis cmcn*
dation, that if it had been propofed by any former editor, I ftiould
have given it a place m the text, " PopUiui Lxna, that had talked
before with Brutus t^mX Ca0ui, and had prayed the gods /% tnrgbt
hrittg ihis effi/r/nt^ /e/d/j, went unto Crfer, and kept hixn a long
tiaic with a laike, — Wherefore the confpirators — conjcduring by
(hat he had tbide them a lirtlc before, that hi^ talke was none other
but the vcric difcovcrie of their confpiracic, they were afrayed
cacric man of them, and one looking in another's face, it wascafic
to fee that they were all of a mindc, that it^^tm tarry iag far thfm
iill thfj ^w^rt ftppr^htffdffi^ hnt ra$h€T thai ihty JhmldkiU ik^m/ehti
nvith thfir ^nus haffdft. And when CiiJ^m$ and certain otheri
clapped their handcs on their fwordcs under their gowncs to draw
them, Brutus, marking the countenance and geflure of Lsena, S:ck
with a pkafant countenance encouraged Caffius,'' Jfec.
They clapp:;d their hands on their daggers undoubtedly to b«
ft^^y tt^ hii thim/fivfs^ if they were difcovered. Shakfpcare wai
induced to give this feniimcnt to Cq^us^ as being exaftly agreeable
to hu chara^ler, and to that fpirit which has appeared in a formei
Stent:
** I know where T will wear this dagger then ;
" Cafliu^ from bondage will deliver Caffius," Maloni»
The diijun^ive h right, and the fenfc apparent, Caflxus faya.
If 0ur purpife is difcovcrcd, either CsCs^t or I ihall never retuni
ailivc; for, if we cannot kill him, I will certainly flay myfclf.
The confpirasors were numerous and refoiyte, and had they been
betrayed, the confufion that moll have an fen might have aifordcd
dcff ciaic men ati opponnnlty to defiiatch ilic tyrant, Ritsox*
3"
JULIUS C^SAR.
Cas. Trebonius knows his time; fbr^ IcmIc yoU|
Brutus,
He draws Mark Antony out of the way,
l^Lxeuni Antony arid Trebonius, C^sae and
ibe Senaiors take their feais.
Dec, Where is Metellus Cimber? Let him go,
And prefcntly prefer his fuit to Csefar.
Bru* He isaddrefs'd : ' prefs near^and fecond him,
Cw. Cafca^ you are the firft that rears your hand.*
Ces- Are we all ready? what is now amifs^
That Caefar, and his fenate, muft redrcfs?*^
Met, Moft high, moft mighty, and moft puil&nt
Caefar,
? Hi h addrefs'd :] i, c, he U ready* See VoL IX, p- ^6jp 11.4^
* ^^^ ^Qu art the firfi that rtart jvmt baftd*] This, I think, il
Bot EngliJh* The firft folio has naret^ which is cot much better*
To resiuce ihe paflTage to the rules of grammar, we fhould read —
Tm an ihe firfl that rears h w ha^d^ T y r w m t t*
According to the rules of grammar' Shakfpea re certainly (hoald
have written ^ir handj but he is often thus inaccurate. So, ia
the laft aft of this plavt CaflSus fays of himfelf,
•' — Caflius is aweary of the world ■ —
f « _^^_^_ a[| j^jg f^yit^ obfcrv'd,
'* Set in a note-book, learn 'd and cona'd by rote,
'* To caft into my teeth,"
Therein flrid* propriety our poet certainly (hould harewiiltoi
•* — ifito hii teeth.'* Malone.
As this and ft mi Jar oflence^ againfl grammar, might have ongi-
aatcd only from the ignorance of the players or their printers, I
cannot concur in reprefenting fuch miftakcs as the pofitivc inaccu-
racies of Shakfpea re. According to this mode of rcdfoningt the
falfe fpellings of the firft folio, as often as ihcy arc cxampled
by correfponding falfc fpellings in the fame book, may &Ifu be
charged upon our author, 8t i e v e n s*
V Cin, Cajca^ yon art the firft thai rear j our handm
CaeC ^re *wt ail nadjt U hai £r vti'w amtji^
That Ca/ar, and hii Jtnate^ muft rtdrejt f\ The word^— JVt
^wtailrtffdj — feem to belong more properly to Cinna's fpcech, tkan
toCsrfaf's. RlTSOU,
I
I
JULIUS C^SAR.
3^
Metellos Cimber throws before thy feat
An humble heart : — [Kneeling,
Cms* I muft prevent thee, Cimben
Thefe coachings, and thefe lowly courtcfies.
Might fire the blood of ordinary men ;
And turn pre-ordinancc/ and firft decree^
Into the law of children J Be not fond.
* AftJ iMni ptt-otdimiKt,] Pre^srdmancf, for or4lnancc already
dlabUfhctl. WARBUitTOJf.
i, * ItfM ihe law &/ children >^ [Old copy — lawr*^ I do not well
1 nndcrftand what is meant by the lane of children. I ihould read*
the ^W of children. That ii» change prr-QrJinnncf and ii€rte inU
tht law ^f children ; into fuch flight determinations as every ftirt
of will would alter* Letnt and lanjiH in fome maaufcripFs are not
I dilily d ifti ngu i [hed. J o u n & o ir .
If the hnt cfihiidreft be the true reading, it may pofiibly receive
illuftfation from the following paiTagc in Ben Jonfon's Sia^U of
" A narrow -minded raan \ my thoughts do dwell
" Ml in^Lner
T!ie lane pf children will then mean the narrow conceits of chil-
drcn» which mutl change af their minds grow more enlarged^ So,
ia Hamki :
I*' For naturcp crefcent, does not grow alone
" In thewcs and bulk ; but as this temple waxes^
'* Whe in^w&fd fem^ice sf (he mtftd and fmh
*' Qttmii wide luithuL**
Btit even this explanation is harfh and violent. Perhaps the poet
WTotc:^ — *' in the Ime of children/' i* e* after the method or
roanner of children. In Tr^ilm and CrrJ/tda, he ufes l/ne for method,
courfe ;
*' in all lifff of order,'*
In an ancient bh letter baiUd, entitled, Hott^old Talk, sr Gmd
C^mtl for a Martitd Ma^^ I meet indeed with a phnfe fome what
imilar to the k^t of children :
** Neighbour Roj^er, when you come
" Into the r&w tfntighhurs marrkd/* STEEViifl,
The to of Shakfpcare's time diticred from an n only by a fmall
c«rl at the bottom of the fecond ftrokc, which if an ^ happened
fo follow, could fcarceiy be perceived, I have not hcfitatcd
therefore to adopt Dr. Johnfon's emendation* The words /r/-#r4*
MaM£€ and dccra Wrongly fupport it* Mai.oNE.
3H
JULIUS C^SAIL
To think that Casfar bears fuch rebel blood,
Thar vvill be thaw*d from the true quality
With that which melteth fools ; I mean,fwcet wo
Low-crooked curt*fies» and bafe fpaniel fawning.
Thy brother by decree is baninied ;
If thou doft bend, and pray, and tawn, for him^
I fpurn thee like a cur out of my way.
Know> Caefardoth not wrong; nor without caufc
Will he be fatisfied.*
* Kn&^t Car/ar dath mt if^rmg ; ner ^withmt amft
Wiilht he fatlijud*] Ben Jonfon quotes this line unfaithfaHf
liDong Im Difiiyueriti^ and ridicules it again in ihe Introdtidion ta
lus Staph of Ntnvsi ** Cry you mercy; jm nruerdid ^wf^wgp hmi
mmihjuj} cau/i t* S t e e V £ » s.
It may be doubted, I think* whether Jonfon bai ^iHei ihklim
mmfmthfully,. The turn of the fentence, and the defea in the meife
(according to ihe prefcnt reading)* rather incline mc to believe that
the paflage flood originally thus :
kno^^ C^far d»th not 'wtmtg^ but W it]] juH canfc ;
A or ixHthmi canfe ^iii hi befiitufied^
We may fuppofe that Ben iiarled this formidable criticifm at one
of tlie earl left reprefentations of the play, and that the playen, m
perhaps Shakfpcarc himfclf, over-awcd by fo great au authonty,
withdrew the v^ords in qucftion ; though, in my opinion, it would
have been better to have told the captious cenfurer that his cnticifm
was ill-founded ; that mtmig is not ahi^ays a fvnonymous term fof
injsry ; that, in fioetical language efpccblly, it may be very h cil
undcrilood to mean oid) h^rm^ or huri^ what the law calls d^mwmm
Jtfft ittjurid; and that, in this fenfe/ there is nothing abfurd iti
Ciciar'a faying, that he d9th ft&t Htirmg (i, c* doth not infliel any
evil, or punilbment) ^*/ iuti6 jtifi cattjr. But, fuppofing this paf*
fagc to have been really ccnfurable, and to have D^n written by
Shakfpeare, the exceptionable words were undoubtedly left out
when the play was printed in J 613 ; and therefore what are we to
think of tne malignant pleafure with which Jonfon continued 10
ndicule his dcccafid friend for a flip, of which poftcriry, without
till information, would have been totally ignorant ?
Tyuwhitt.
Mr, Tyrwhitt's interpretation of the word fwrmg 1% fupported by
a line in our author's Rapt of Luerect:
•' Time's glory is^
*' To r^reng the wronger, till he rcndex right,** Malovi*
d
JULIUS CiESAR, 315
Met* Is there no voice moi:e worthy than my
own.
To found more fweetly in great Caefar's ear.
For the repealing of my banifh'd brother ?
Bna. I kifs thy hand, but not in flattery, Caefari
Defiring thee, that Publius Cimber may
Have an immediate freedom of repeaL
Cms- What, Brutus !
Cas* Pardon, Csefar; Caefar, pardon:
As low as to thy foot doth CafTius fall.
To beg enfranchifement for Publius Cimben
Cms, I could be well mov'd, if I were as you ;
If I could pray to move, prayers would move mc:
But I am conftant as the northern ftar.
Of whofe true-fix'd, and refting quality^
There is no fellow in the firmament*
The Ikies are painted with unnumber'd fparks.
They are all fire, and every one doth Ihine ;
But there's but one in all doth hold his place :
So, in the world ; 'Tis furnifli'd well with men^
And men arc flelh and blood, and appreheniive; ^
Yet, in the number, I do know but one *
That unaflailable holds on his rank,'
I
* af^rthenfi*vi ;] Sufccptiblc of ftar, or Other pafliotis.
Johnson.
Jpprekinfi^e does not mean, as Jobnfon explains it, p/crptiUf ^f
So, in Kmg Henry IF, P. IL Ad IV, fc, iii: *' — make* i^
mfprtbeiffi^e, quick, forgetjve/' &c. Steevems.
* bnt me — ] One and only one. Joh wiON.
7 haiJi f^ft hh rank J ] Perhaps, hMi en his race; continues
Kit conrfe- Wc commonly fay. To hid a rank^ and To ksld m
a c^ur/e or ntmy* J oh nson.
To ** hold on his rank,'* is to csntimit to J^Mii; and I take ranJk
m be ihc right reading. The word mat which Johnfon propofc*.
m
3i6 JULIUS C^SAR.
Unfhak'd of motion : * and, that I am hc^
XiCt me a little fhow it, even in this ;
That I was conftant Cimbcr lliould be banifb'd»
And conftant do remain to keep him fo.
Oti. O Caefar, —
Cms. Hence ! Wilt thou lift up Olympus?
Dec* Great Csefar, —
Cms, Doth not Brutus bootlefs kneel?*
CjscA. Speak, hands, for me.
[ Cafca Jtah Cacfar in the neck, Csefar iaicbes
bold of bis arm. He is iben ftabh^d hy fe^
veral oiber con/piraiors^ and at taji By Mar-
cus Brutus.
would but ill itgrec with the following words, uMjhidCi &f
or with the comparifon to the polar ttar i —
** Of whofe irue/jrV, and rffting quality,
** There is no fellow in the firmament/'
Ihid on hu rank^ in one part of the comparilbn, has prTccifclr
the fame import with h4d hit fkcf^ in the orfier. M. Ma soar. '
< UttJ^dk'd of m(ffm :] i.e. Unfhak'd hjfmt or folidtatiao, of
which the objefl h to m<fve the pcrfon addrcfkd. M alokb.
^ Deik mt Brutus ho&defs kttfei^^ I would read ;
Do nsi E rutm hoaiif/s k^tcl / J o H N so t^ *
I cannot fubfcribc to Dr. Johnfon's opinion, Csefar, as fome
of the confpirators arc prcffing round h!m» anfwers their itnpor-
tuniey properly : Setjm mi my &wn Brutus kneiiixg im *vmiM ? Whit
fM^afi £^n y&u exped t& ymr foiktt^ithm^ *w^/t hu are meffeSM&if
This might have put my Icjirned coadjutor in mind of the paSkge
of Homer, which he hai fo elegantly introductd in his preface*
Tkffftif (faid Achilles to his caplivc) ^ifm fi grtat a man hj Pmtrw'
clit/ j&tfi faiUn hffire tSetg d^Ji thou esm/Iain tf tht c&mmm Sn rf
marfaiityF Steevens.
The editor of the fecond folio faw thi« paflagc in the fame light
as Dr. Johnfondid, and made this improper alteration. By Brmim
here Shakfpeare certainly meant Marcus Brutus, bccaufe he lus
confounded him with Dcclmui, (or Deciuf as he calb him) ; aod
imagined that Marcus Brutus was ihc peculiar favourite of Ca;{tr,
calhng liim " hh ^Yli-ift/o^ird;" whereas in fail it was Dutmm^
Brutus that Carfar was particularly attached lo, appointing him hf
JULIUS C^SAR. 317
(Us. Et tu. Brute?*— Ihta fail, Caefar.
[Dies. Tbefenaton and people retire /« confufim»
I
\
Vn^)Xi\i\% fi£md heir, that is, in remainder after hb priiuary de*
vifecs* Maloke.
S^e p. 246, n, 1. Steevibis,
* Et tu, BrtfU? •] Suetonius fays, that when Cscfar put
Metdlus Cimber back, " he caught hold of Ca:faf's gowne at hoth
Oioulders, whereupon, as he cncd out. This j> ^hieme^ CaOius
came in fecond full a front, and wounded him a little beneath ihc
throat. Then Ca?far catching Cafllus bv the arme ihnift it through
with hb ftiic, or writing punches ; and with that being about 10
leape foru'ard, he waa met with another wound andftayed/' Being
iJien a^kd on all Cdc«, '* with three and twenty wounds he wai
Habbed^ during which time he gave but one groan, {^^iihaui my
nmrd umrtd^) and that was at the firft thruft; though fome have
written p that as Marcus Brutus came running upon him, he faid^
mm wu TftKierj and thm^ tnj Jhmif** Holland's Tranflation, 1607."
No mention \% here made of the Latin exclamation, which our
author has attributed to Cscfar, nor did North furailh him with
it, or with EngJiih words of tlic fame import, aimight naturally
have been fuppofed* Plutarch fays, that on receiving his firil
wound from Ctifca, " he caught hold of Cafca's fword, and held
it hard; and they both cried out^ Csefar in Latin, 0 W^ traitor,
Cajce^ 'ivhai doeji thou !^ and Cafca in Greek to his brother, Br^*
ihtt^ htl^ me*'' — The confpirators then ** compaflcd him on every
fide with their fwordcs drawn in their handes, that Qx(m turned
him no where but he was ftricken by fome, and ft ill had naked
fwords in his face, and was hacked and mangled amongfl them as
a wild beaft taken of hunters. — And then Brutus himfcTf gave him
one wound about the privities. — Men report alfo, that Ca^far did
ftill defend himfclf againft the reftc, runmng every way with his
bodie, but when he faw Brutus with his fworde drawcn in his
hande, then he pulled hii gownc over his headc, and made nt> more
icfiftance."
Neither of thefe writers therefore, we fee, fumifhed Shakfpeare
with this exclamation* Hi> authority appears to have been a line
in the old pla)% entitled The Trut Tr^gidie of Ritkarde Dukt 0/
Tarke, &c. printed in i 6gOj on which he formed his third part of
MjngHinrjFl:
" Et tu, Bntte? Wilt thou ftab C^efar too?"
This line Shakfpeare rejeded when he wrote the piece above
mentioned, (Sec Voh X. p. 374, n^ 8.) but it appears it had
madt an imprcffion on his tnemorj*. The fame line u alfo found
318 JULIUS CmSAU.
Cm, Liberty ! Freedom ! Tyranny is dead !—
Run hence* proclaim, cry it about the (Vreets,
Cas, Some to the common pulpits, and cry out,
Liberty ^ freedom^ and enfrancbijement /
Bru> People, and fenators ! be not affrighted;
Fly not ; ftand ftill : — ambition's debt is paid.
Casca, Go to the pulpit, Brutus.*
Dec* And Caflius too.
Bru. Where's Publius?
CiN. Here, quite confounded with this mutiny.
Met. Stand faft together, left fome friend of
Caefar's
Should chance —
Bru, Talk not of ftand ing ;—PubUus» good
cheer ;
There is no harm intended to your perfon.
Nor to no Roman dfe : * fo tcU them, Publius.
in Ac^kjlm his Afur-mittet a poem by S. Nichoiroxi^ printed m
t6oo:
*' Et tjt, BrwieF Wilt thou ftab Casfar too?
'* Thou art my friend, and wilt not fee nse wrong'd.**
So, in Cscfar's Legend, Mirrsur fir MagiflrmfSf 1587:
" O this, quoth I^ is violence % then Caihus pierced tsf
brcaft;
** And Brum iJku^ my fonne, quoth I, whom erft I lorel
beft."
The Latin words probably appeared originally in Dr* Ecd«V
play on this fubjeft- Sec p* 33 S, n, *. Malokb,
' Go to ihf /w////, SmtMs*^ We have now taken leave of Cafau
Shakfpeare for once knew that he had a fufficieni number of heroei
on his hands, and wa* glad to lofe an individual in the crowd* It
may be added, that the iingukrky of Cafca's manners wotUd have
appeared to little advantage aniidft the fuccccding varieties of m-
nmh and war, Stievens.
-* Nqf t& m Rffm^jf f(fr^] This ufe of two negatuxs^ not to makt
m aftrmative, but to deny more ftrongly, is common to ChauecTi
JULIUS CjESAR.
319
Cj$* And leave us, Publius ^ left that the people,
Ryfhing on us^ ftiould do your age fome mifchief.
Bru. Do fo ; — and let no man abide this deed.
But we the doers.
Re-enter Trebonius,
!
r
I
I
Cj$. Where's Antony ?
Tre. Fled to his houfe amaz'd :
Men^ wives, and children, ftare, cry out, and run.
As it were doomsday.
Brv. Fates ! we will know your plea fu res :—
That we (hall die, we know; 'tis but the time,
And drawing days out^ that men ftand upon.
O5.' Why, he that cuts ofF twenty years of life.
Cuts off fo many years of fearing death.
Bro* Grant that, and then is death a benefit :
So are we Caefar's friends, that have abridged
Histimeof fearingdeath. — Stoop, Romans, ftoop,*
And let us bathe our hands in Caefar's blood
Up to the elbows, and befmear our f words :
Then walk we forth, even to the market-place ;
And, waving our red weapons o'er our heads,
Lci's all cry, Peace ! Freedom ! and Liberty 1
Speii&Tt and other of our ancient vvnten- Dr* Hickcs obfervcs, iBat
tn the Saxon, even fittr negatives are fometimes conjoined, and
ftill prcferve a negative figmfication* Ste evens*
* Caf*] Both the foUos give this fpeech to Cafca, Ried*
^ *9/oc/, R&mpns^Jhnp,}. Plutarch, in Tke Lift tf C^Jar,
fayi, "Brutus and his Movsrers, ^emg ^rt hoi n^vith the murJer»
inarcK'd in a body from the fcnate-houfc to the Capitol, with their
dT&vm/^VJQrdi^ with an air of conddcnce and aifurancc/' And itt
ne Life of Brvtut, — *' Brutus Jind his party betook thcmfckei to
tfjc Capitol » and in their wa}% Jhmj^^htg thiir hands ail hlaoJj^ and
thcif naked fwordi, pncUm*J iikcrfj to the people/' THtos^Lo*
S^o
JULIUS C^SAR.
Cas. Stoop then^ and wafli.*^ — How manf agd
hence,
Shall this our lofty fcene be afted ovcr^
In ftates unborn/ and accents yet unknown ?
jBru. How many times fball C^far bleed in fport,
That now on Pompey's bafis lies along.
No worthier than the duft ?
Cjs. So oft as that ihall be/
So often fhall the knot of us be call'd
The men that gave our country liberty.
Dec. What, fhall we forth?
Cas, Ay, every man away:
Brutus fhall lead ; and wc will grace his heels
With the moft boldeft and bell: hearts of Rome.
be/ t
Enter a Servant.
Sru.
Soft, who comes here? A friend of Afl
tony's.
Sert. Thus^ Brutus, did my mafterbid mekneelt
Thus did Mark Antony bid me fall down;
And, being proftrarci thus he bade me fay.
\
*" Sioa/ ihtn^ ai^d wafti.] To n»m^ docs not incan here to ciemfrt
but to ^w^J^ i^T^'er^ as we fay, <waftj*d 'with ^M; for Caffioi i
[hat they Ihoutd iXttp their hands In the blood of Csrfar*
M. Masov,
^ Iti ftates Kit&^ryt^l The firft folio ha$^~^au; very propcrlr
correded in ihe fccond (oVio—^aus^ Mr, Malone admits the &tlj^
of thcfe readingtj which he thus explain! — In theatnck pomp ytcfl
undifplayed.
But, furely, by ufthont ftata^ our author muft have nieam-H^««
mumiifS <which as jet ha've m extftence* S T E E v E N s+
* So aft as that fhall he,] The wordi—J^all be^ which rtrakf
ih\% verfe too long by a foot, may be juftly confidered as tnierpo*^
latlons, the fenfe of ilie paflagc being obviotis without a fuppkinem^
As tfi ffj tbat^ in elliptical phrafc^ will fi^nify — as oft at that p^
hafiprtt^ Thefe are too many inftanccs of fimilarcHipfcs ddtrofcA
by the player editors^ at the expencc of metre. S te e v i is i*
1
JULIUS CiESAR,
121
Brutus is noblct wife, valiant, and honeft;
Caefar was mighty, bold, royal, and loving :
Say I I love Brutus, and I honour him ;
Say, I fear'd Csefar, honoured him, and lov*d him*
If Brutus will vouch fafe, that Antony
May fafely come to him, and be refolv'd
How Caefar hath defcrv'd to lie in death,
Mark Antony (hall not love Caefar dead
So well as Brutus livings but will follow
The fortunes and affairs of noble Brutus,
Thorough the hazards of this untrod ftate^
tWith all true faith. So fays my mafter Antony^
Bru. Thy mafter is a wife and valiant Roman ;
I never thought him worfe.
Tell him, fo pleafc him come unto this place.
He Ihall be fatisficd; and, by my honour.
Depart untouched.
I SEgr. I'll fetch him prefcntly. [Exif Serv<
I Bmu* 1 know, that we fliail have him well to
I friend.
1 Cjis* I wifti, we may : but yet have I a mind.
That fears him much; and my mifgiving ftill
Tails fhrcwdly to the purpofe*
Re~enier An ton v.
Bru* But here comes Antony, — Welcome, Mark
Antony,
Akt^ O mighty Csefar ! Doft thou lie fo low ?
Are all thy conquefts, glories, triumphs, fpoils,
Shrunk to this little meafure? — Fare thee well.—
i know not, gentlemen, what you intend,
ilVho elfe muft be let blood, who elfe is rank ; *
\ ^ 'whelfi it rAHk:\ Who clfe may be fuppofed to hav*
m^rt^p^d his cquali, and ^reoyj* $^ high for the publick faicty.
Vol. XH. Y
^2%
JULIUS CiESAR.
If I myfelf, there is no hour fo fit
As Caefar s death's hour; nor no inftrunnent
Of half that worth, as thofeyourfwords, made rich
With the mofl: noble blood of all this world.
I do befeech ye, if you bear mc hard^
Now, whilft your purpled hands do reekandfmoke,
Fulfil your pleafurc. Live a thoufand years,
1 fhall not find my felf fo apt to die :
No place will pleafe me fo, no mean of death.
As here by Caefar, and by you cut off^
The choice and mafter fpirits of this age*
Bru* O Antony ! beg not your death of us*
Though now we muft appear bloody and cruel,
As, by our hands, and this our prefenc ad.
You fee we do ; yet fee you but our hands.
And this the b!eeding*bufinefs they have done:
Our hearts you fee not, they are pitiful ;
And pity to the general vi rong of Rome
(As fire drives out fire,* fo pity» pityj
I rather believe the meaning is, who clfe is too tt^ktt with blood t
So, 10 our author's Ffnuj und Admh :
"^ Rain added to a river ih?,i h r^nk^
" Perforce will force it overflow the bank**'
See Vol, VIII, p, 170, n. 1, Maloke.
In Tht Ttmptfl we have —
rwh^m fo tr^Jh
Far t^ertoppitigt
I conceive Dr, Johnfon*s explanation therefore to be the rmecfte*
The epithet rank is employed, on a ilmikr occaltcm« in K^
UoirjilH: ^
*• Hal what, fo r^»*r'
and without allufion to a plethora. Steeveks.
* Ji frt drives <}ut frt^ •Stc-j So, in CamiauMi:
** One fire drives out one fire i one nail one asdL"
^gain, in The T^vo Gtitthmfji of Ftr&na i
** Even as one heat another heat expels,
« Or 43 one nail by ftrcngth drives out another"
STEBVtii.
JULIUS C^S'AR-
3n
Hath done this deed on Cacrfar, For your part.
To you our fwords have leaden points^ Mark An-
tony :
Our arms, in ftrength of malice^' and our hearts^
Of broth erii* tctnper^ do receive you in
With all kind love, good thoughts, and reverence,
Cjs, Your voice fhall be as ftrong as any man's.
In the difpofing of new dignities*
Bru* Only be patient, till we have appeas'd
The multitude, bcfide themfelves with fear.
And then we will deliver you the caufe,
Why I, that did love Csefar when I ftruck him.
Have thus proceeded.
JsT, I doubt nor of your wifdom.
Let each man render me his bloody hand :
Firft, Marcus Brutus, will I ftiake with you ;^
Next, Caius Cafllus, do I take your hand j — •
Now, Decius Brutus,yours ; — now yours, Metellus;
^ Our arms i/f Urtugth g/ ma ftcff] TTius the old copies*
Ta ^oMf (fays Brutus) cur/w^r^ ha^f kadea pQwn: our Mfffti,
ftrwng im the dttd of malkf tbfj ha*ve jtijl performed, and eur hearts
mJtittd /tie tbsfr of brother t ift t/jt aili(^^ nre jei ^pen t& r/'ceii>f jstt
^ih all poffilk regard, The fyppafition that Brutus meant, their
hearis ^wcre &/ hrather/ temper in refpt3 ef Antony , fecms to have
iniiled ihofe who have commented on this paflage before. For
— iftjirenglh of^ Mr, Pope fubftituted — exempt from ; and wa* too
haftiiy iblTowcd bjr other editors. If akc ration were neccflary, it
would be eafier to read :
Ow r armi no flrength &f malke > S T E t V £ N S .
One of the phiafes in this paffage, which Mr, Steevcns hus fo
happily estplaincdj iKCurs again in AntQuy and Cleopatra :
** To make you hmtkin^ and to knit your heart $,
" With an tinflipping knot,''
Ag^n^ thid:
** The heart of hrothers governs in our love!**
The counterpart of the other phrafe is found in the fame play :
" J'lJ wretlle with vou in myjfrtngth o//«/^,** MaLqkk,
Y 2
3H
JULIUS CjESAR*
Yours, Cinna; — and, my valiant Cafca, yours;—
Though laft, not leaft ia love/ yours, good Trebo-
nius.
Gentlemen all^^ — alas ! what fhall I fay ?
My credit now Hands on fuch flippcry ground^
That one of two bad ways you mull conceit me,
Either a coward, or a flatterer* —
That I did love thee, Caefar, O, 'tis true;
If then thy fpirit look ppon us now.
Shall it not grieve thee, dearer than thy death.
To fee thy Antony making his peace.
Shaking the bloody fingers of thy foes,
Moft noble ! in the prefence of thy corfc?
Had I as many eyes as thou haft wounds.
Weeping as faft as they ftream forth thy blood,
It would become me better, than to clofe
In terms of friendfhip with thine enemies. _
Pardon me, Julius ! — Here waft thou bay'd, brave
hart ;
' Here didft thou fall j and here thy hunters ftand,
* Signed in thy fpoil, and crimfon*d in thy lethe.*
O world ! thou waft the foreft to this hart ;
And this, indeed, O world, the heart of thee. —
How like a deer, ftricken by many princes.
^ Thifgk lafi^ not hafi in i^vi^l So, in Kmg Lean
** Although the laftt not Icaft in our acar love.'*
TIte fanie exprcfliort occurs more than once tn plays exhibited
before the time of Shakfptare* Malojji*
* aimfiiCiin thy lerhe.] Lttht U ufcti by cfiany of tbe old
tranllators of novels, for death \ and in Heywood'i Irm A^^
PartlL 1652 :
** The proudeft nation that great Afta nurs^df
" Is now extjndl in hthe^'*
Again f in Cupid* s Whtriigig^^ 1616:
" For. vengeance' wmgs bring on thy lethal day/*
Dr, Farmer obfervcs* that wc meet with itthal for dtadl^ la tiie
iiiformaiion for MMtfga CampklL Stei v i »«•
JULIUS C^SAR.
335
I
Dofl thou here lie?
Cas. Mark
Antony^ —
Akt* Pardon me, Caius Caflius:
The enemies of Caefar fhall fay this ;
Then, in a friend, it is cold modefty.
Cj$. I blame you not for praifing Csfar lb 1
But what compad mean you to have with us ?
Will you be prick'd in number of our friends j
Or ftiall we on, and not depend on you ?
jiNT, Therefore I took your hands; but waa^
indeed,
Sway*d from the point, by looking down on Caefan
Friends am I with you all,*' and love you all 1
Upon this hope, that you Ihall give me rcafons^
Why, and wherein, Csefar was dangerous.
Bru. Or clfe were this a favage fpetftaclc:
Our reafons are fb full of good regard.
That were you, Antony, the fon of Csefar,
You (hould be fatisficd-
JsT, That^s all I feek ;
And am moreover fuiror, that I may
Produce his body to the market-place?
And in the pulpit, as becomes a friend^
Speak in the order of his funeral.
Bru* You fhall, Mark Antony*
Cas. Brutus, a word with you.' —
* Friends am f tuiih jm al!^ iczS\ This grammatical impropri-
ety b ftUl fo prevalent^ as that ihe omiHion of the anomabus S,
would gi^T fome uncouihnefs to ihc found of an olherwife familiac
exprciTion . Henley.
t' Brutus^ n njj^fd witb yoo.] With j&u h an apparent interpola-
tion of the players* In Aft IV. k, lu they have retained the ellip-
tical phrafc whicli tliey have here dcflro)Td at the cxpcncc of
jnctrc:
" He u notdouhteJ-—,^ 'uwrd', LacUbt; — ."SxiirEifi*
Y3
326
JULIUS CiESAR.
You know not what you do ; Do not confent,
That Antony fpeak in his funeral :
Know you how much the people may be mov'd
By that which he will utter ?
Brv\ By your pardon;—
I will myfelf into the pulpit firft,
And (how the rcafon of our Caefar's death:
What Antony rtiall fpeak, I will proteft
He fpeaks by leave and by permilTlon ;
And that we are contented, Csefar lliall
Have all true riteSj and lawful ceremonies.
It fhall advantage more, than do us wrong.
Cjts> I know not what may fall ; I like it not,
Bru* Mark Antony, here, take you Csefar's
body.
You fhall not in your funeral fpeech blame us,
But fpeak all good you can devife of Caefar ;
And fay, you do't by our permiflion i
Elfe fhall you not have any hand at all
About his funeral : And you fhall fpeak
In the fame pulpit whereto I am going.
After my fpet^ch is ended.
Ant, Beitfo;
I do defire no more.
Bru, Prepare the body then, and follow us.
[Exeuni ail but Antony*
Ant. O, pardon me, thou bleeding piece of earth.
That I am meek and gentle with thcfe butchers !
Thou art the ruins of the noblefl man.
That ever lived in the tide of times/
Woe to the hand that fhcd this coflly blood !
-MB ih€ iidt §fitmtj,'] Thai is, in the courfe of times.
JOHKIOV«
JULIUS CiESA"
327
Over thy wounds now do I prophecy, —
Which, like dumb mouths/ do ope their ruby lips.
To beg the voice and utterance of my tongue;—*
A curfe (hall light upon the limbs of men j*
Domeftick fury, and fierce civil ftrife.
Shall cumber all the parts of Italy :
Blood and dcftrudtion (hall be fo in ufe»
And dreadful objeds fo familiar.
• Ot^tt ihj nvmirds myw do I frophfc/^ —
Which i like iumh mmth^ &c<] So^ in A Warning for fmrt
" — 1 gave him fifteen wounds,
k" Which now be fifteen mouths that do accufe mc ;
** In every wound there is a bloody tongue,
" Which ivill al) fpeak although he hold his peace,"
Maloki,
J cs/r/fj^ail iigkt itpan thi Hmbs ^ mm ;] Wc fhould read ;
line ^f mrn ;
i, Ct human fd^ct* WAaauRTON,
Sir Thomas Hanmcr reads ;
*— ^kind yw/fl;
I laihcr think it (hould be,
ib€ lives sf mtn ;
tinlers we read :
*-^— tUefe lymms efmtn ;
That is, ik^/f &is^6<fuftds of men* The uncommonnefs of the
word fy mm eafi \y made the ch ang e . Johnson,
Antony means that a fumrc curfe fhall commence in dirtcmperi
feizing on ik^ itmh of men ^ and lie fucceedt^ by commotion, cru-
rltyj and dcfolation" all over Italy, So, in Phaer's Vcrfion of the
f hixd j£neid :
" The Ikies cornjplcd wttt^ ili at tree* and come deftroyed
to nought,
'* And limmei of mtH confuming rottes,'* Ac*
Sign* E* K edit. 1596. Steevins,
By mm the ffM^akcr means not mankind in general, but thofe Ra-
ms whofe atfachment to the caufe of the confpirators, or wiili to
revenge Ca^far^s death, would expofc ihcm to ^^muiix in the civil
wars which Antony ftippofes that event would give rife to. — The
generality of the ctirfe here predit^cd, is limited hy the fubfequcnt
wordi,^" the pan* of Italy/' and •* in /i&//r confines,"
Malons*
Y 4
^32«
JULIUS Ci^SAR.
That mothers fliall but fmile, when they behold
Their infants quarter'd with the hands of war;
All pity chok'd with cuftom of fell deeds :
And Csefar's fpirit, ranging for revenge,'
With Ate by his fide, come hot from hell.
Shall in thcfe confines, with a monarch's voice^
Cry Hdvock^^ and let flip^ the dogs of war;
" ufobraqiac crraret CrafTus inulta*" Liugx, lAhAt
•* FaCalem populis ultro pofcentibas ho ram
** Admovct atra dies ; Scygiifquc emiffa tenebris
'* Mors fruitur caeloj Wlatoremquc vohndo
'* Campum opcrii^ nigroquc vtros invitat hiaiy/*
Srm. TM. Vin,
" ^ Furiae rapuenitit licla Parcis/' U/d* SrtZYinu
3 Crj Havockt] A learaed corrcfpondent [Sir Wiiliam BJack-
ftone] has informed me, that, in the military operations of oH
times, i^ff^'oci was the word by which declaration was made, that
BO quarter Ihoutd be given* In a trad intnled. The O0{t y ihe
Cenjhifit ami Mtir/Jcha/l /W the Tymt of tVtrr^^ contained ifi the
Black Book of the Admiralty, there is the following chapter :
" The pcync cf hym that crieth k^vt^ck and of tieni thai
followeth hym, ctit, yJ*
" Item Si quis inventus fucrit qui clamorem inccpcrit qai roca^
" Alfo that no man be fo hardy to crye Hsmk npon pcj^nc fbi
he that is begynner (hall be deede therefore : & the remanent that
doo the fame or folow, (hall lofe their horfe k hameis: and the
pcrfones of fuch as foloweth and efcncn fhal be onderarreft of the
Concrtable and Marcfchall vvardc unto tyme that they have taade
fyn ; and founde furetic no morrto oSendc ; and his bixiy in prifon
at the Kyng wylk — " JoH n bok.
See p< r^9, n. 3. Malon^.
^ Zrf flip ] This is a term belonging to the chafe,
Manwood> in his Ferrjf La^wj^ e, xx* f 9. fays, ** that
when any poi»rallee man doth find anv wild beaflt of the forefl in
his pourallee, that is in hii owne iVcehold lands, that he hath
wiihin the pourallee, he may /ft ftippt hh i<^ggtt aJter the wiJil
bcaftes, and hunt and chafe them there," &c. Heed.
^lip$ were contrivanecs of leather by which greyhounds were re*
it rained till the nccedary moment of their difmiffion* See J^
liinry V* Vol, IX. p* 552^ E, 6. Stceviks* '
JULIUS CiESAR;
That this foul deed fhall fmell above the earth
With carrion men, groaning for burial.
Bntir a Servant.
You ferve Odavius C^efar, do you not?
Sbkf. I do, Mark Antony,
Asr. C^far did write for him, to come to Rome.
SEkv. He did receive his letters, and is com-
ing:
And bid me fay to you by word oi mouth, —
O Csefar ! — \^Seeing the body^
Ant. Thy heart is big ; get thee apart and weep.
Paffion, I fee, is catching; for mine ty^s^^
Seeing thofe beads of forrow ftand in thine.
Began to water. Is thy maftcr coming?
Serf, He lies to-night within feven leagues of
Rome,
Ant. Pod back with fpeed, and tell him what
hath chanc'd :
Here is a mourning Rome, a dangerous Rome,
To hipf a dag at a deer, &c. was ifac technical phrafe of Shak^
lpeait*s timcH, So, in Coriahnus :
" Even like a fawning greyhound In the lca(h,
*< To let \nukjlip at will."
By thcifc^jo/auar, as Mr, Tdlet has clfcwhtre obfcrvcd, Shak-
fpe^rc probably meant ftr, fword^ and /amm\ So, in Khtg
" Then ftiould the warlike Harry* like himfelf,
" Affume the p>rt of Afars ; and, at his heels »
" L^fi'd m like hounds ^ Ihould /ammf, J^wwd^ and />^,
•* Crouch for employ mcntp'^
The fame obfervarion is made by Steele in the Tatlir, No»
IJ7. Malone.
f ^^-for JWM^^^/*] Old Copy— ynjw mine eyes. CorrtdleJ
by Etc editor of the fecond folia* M alon e.
330
JULIUS CJESAR,
No Rome of fafety* for Osflavius yet;
Hie hence, and tell him fo. Yet, ft ay a while i
Thou fhalt not back, till I have borne this corfe
Into the market-placer there fliall I try^
In my oration, how the people take
The cruel ifTue of thefe bloody men;
According to the which, thou fhalt difcouifc
To young Oftavjus of the ftate of things.
Lend me your hand. [ExeuHl, wiib Cesar's Mf,
SCENE IL
The fame, ne Forum*
Enter Brutus, and Cassius, and a throng of
Ciiizens*
Cir. We will be fatlsfied; let us be fatisfied,
£ru. Then follow me^ and give me audicncCj
friends. —
CalTius, go you into the other ftrcet.
And part the numbers. —
Thofe that will hear me fpcak, let them ft ay hcrci
Thofe that will follow Catlius, go with him;
And public k rcafons fhall be rendered
Of C^far's death.
I. CiT. 1 will hear Brutus fpeak.
^ A* Rom^ 9//a/eij frc] If Sbakfpcare meant to qnlbbie m
the words Ro/ftf and ro^m, in ibis and a former pailage» be is at
lea ft countenanced in it by other authors :
So, in Hey woods R^f^e of Lmrece^ 1658:
*■ You ftiall have my ro^m^
" My Rme^ indeed, for what I fcem to be,
** Bnitut i* not, but born great R&me to fiec/*
JULIUS CiESAR.
33>
I
»
2. Cir* I mil hear CafTius ; and compare their
rcafons.
When fevcrally we hear them rendered.
[£jt// CassiuSj zviib fome of tbt Citizens. Brutus
goes into ibe rqflrum.
3. Or, The noble Brutus is afcended: Silence!
Brv. Be patient till the laft,
Romans^ countrymen^ and lovers ! ' hear me for
my caufe; and be iilent, that you may hear: be-
lieve me for mine honour i and have rcfpect to mine
honour, that you may believe: cenfure me in your
wifdom ; and awake your fenfes, that you may the
better judge, If there be any in this aflcmbly,
any dear friend of Caefar's, to him 1 fay, that Bru-
lus' love to C^far was no lefs than his. If then
^ cmnttjmfv^ and lo^^enf ^c,] There Is no where, in all
Shakfjiearc'^ works a ftronger proof of his not being what we call
a fcholar than this ; or of fis not knowing any thing of the gehiiis
of learned antitjuity. This fpeech of Brutus is wrote in inmation
of hb famed laconic brevity^ and is very fine in its kinil ; but no
more like ihac brevity, than his limes were like Brutus's. The
aniicnt laconic brevity was limple, natural, and eafy; this is
quaim, artificial, gingling, and aboundittg with forced antithefes^
In a word, a brevity^ thiitfor its faHc eloquence would havefuited
any character, and for Its good fenfc would have become the
greattft of our author's time ; but yet, in a Itilc of declaiming,
that 6b as ill upon Bruttti as our author's trowfcrs or collar-band
would have done. Wahsurton.
I cannot agree with Warburton that this f^ch is very fine in iti
kind* I can fee no degree of eitcellence in it, but think it a very
» paltry fpeech for fo great a man» on fo great an occafion. Vet
ShAkfpcarc has judicioufly adopted in it the ftyle of Bruius — the
pointed fentcnce^ and kboured brevity which he is faid to have
a^Mcd. M* Mas UN,
I This aruficial jingle of fhort fentenccs was affeded by moft of
the orators tn Shakipearc** time, whether in the pulpit or at the
bar. The fpeech of Brutus may therefore be regarded rather ai
an imitation of the falfc eloqueiKe then iti vogiic^ than as a fpcci*
men of kconkk brcvitj^. Sti^veks.
7
332
JULIUS Ci^SAR.
I
that friend demand, why Brutus rore againft defar,
this is my anfwer, — Not that I loved Csefar Icfs,
but that I loved Rome more. Had you rather
Caefar were living, and die all flaves; than thai
Caefar were dead, to live all free men? As Cacfar
loved me, I weep for him ; as he was fortunate, !
rejoice at it ; as he m as valiant, I honour him : but,
as he was ambitious, I flew him; There is tcarsi
for his love J ioy, for his fortune; honour, for his
valour; and death, for his ambition. Who is here
fo bafe, that would be a bondman ? If any, fpeaki
for him have I offended. Who is here fo rude, that
would not be a Roman? If any, fpeak; for him
have I offended. Who is here fo vile, that will not
Jove his country? If any, fpeak; for him have I
offended, I paufc for a reply,
Csr. None, Brutus, none-
[feveral /peaking ai m€i.
Bru* Then none have I offended • I have done
no more to Csefar, than you Ihould do to Brutui.
The queftion of his death is enroll 'd in the Capitol :
his glory not extenuated, wherein he was worthy;
nor his offences enforced, for which he fuffcr*d
death,
£ff/^r Antony and Others, u?/"/j& Caefar's hdj.
Here comes his body, mourn'd by Mark Antony:
who, though he had no hand in his death, ihatl re-
ceive the benefit of his dying, a place in the com-
monwealth ; As which of you Ihall not ? With this
I depart ; That, as I flew my befl: lover * for the
good of Rome, I have the fame dagger for myfclf,
when it fliall pleafe my country to need my death*
> m IJif^ mj irfi /ffwr-^] Sec p, 107, n. j, Miiovt^
1
i
I
JULIUS CiESAR.
33J
Or. Live, Brutus, live ! live !
K Cir. Bring him with triumph home unto his
houfe,
2. CjT, Give him a ftarue with his anceflors.
3* Cir, Let him be Caefan
4, Or. Caefar's better parts
Shall now be crowned in Brutus.^
b I. Or. Well bring him to his houfe with Ihoutg
■ and clamours.
I Bru^ My countrymen, —
I 2* Or. Peace; lilence! Brutus fpeaks.
Lm I • Or- Peace, ho !
^^^Bhv* Good countrymen, let me depart alone,
■ And, for my fake, flay here with Antonys
^ Do grace to Caefar's corpfe, and grace his fpecch
Tending to Caefar's glories; which Mark Antony,
By ourpermifTion is allow'd to make.
I do entreat you> not a man depart.
Save I alone, till Antony have fpoke* [Exin
I. Or, Stay^ ho! and let us hear Mark Antony.
3. Or. Let him go up into the publick chair;
We'll hear him ; — Noble Antony, go up*
Ant, For Brutus' fake, I am beholden to you,*
4- Or. What does he fay of Brutus ?
3, Or. He fays, for Brutus' fake^<
p
^ * Sifafl now he cr^m^d m Bntim.} As the prefcnt hcmirtich,
4'Ithout fomc additional fallible, h otfenfivd)- unmctrical, the ad*
rcrb — rnnv, which was ititrodace4 by Sir Thomas Hanincr, is her*
admitted, Steevens,
* *-^ beholden i& j'^»0 Throughout the old copies of Shak-
Ipeate, and many other ancient authors, S^hMm is corrupdy
Ipek — heholdwg^ S T E 1 v £ K S .
i He fiip^ fir Brutus' fake f\ Here we have another line rttidercd
megubr, by the uiterpoiaicd and needtcfs words — He/aji — .
STSIVfilfi,
334 JULIUS C ^ S A R.
He finds himfelf beholden to us all.
' 4. Cit, 'Twere befl: he fpeak no harm of Br
here*
1, Cir. This Caefar waa a tyrant.
3, Cir. Nay> that's certain: _
We are blefs*d, that Rome is rid of him, f
2. Cm Peace; let us hear what Antony can fan
Ant, You gentle Romans, — m
Ctr. Peace, ho ! let us hear him, '^
An^. Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me
your ears %
I come to bury Caefar, not to praife him.
The evil, that men do, lives after them ;
The good is oft interred with their bones i
So let it be with C^far. The noble Brutus
Hath told you, Caefar was ambitious;
If it were fo, it was a grievous fault ;
And grievouny hath Caefar anfw er'd it.
Here, under leave of Brutus, and the reft,
(For Brutus is an honourable man j
So are they all, all honourable men ;)
Come I to fpeak in Caefar's funeral.
He was my friend, faithful and juft to mc ;
But Brutus fays, he was ambitious •
And Brutus is an honourable man*
He hath brought many captives home to Rome,
Whofe ranfoms did the general coffers fill : ■
Did this in Caefar feem ambitious? V
When that the poor have cried, Caefar hath wept:
Ambition fiiould be made of fterncr fluff:
Yet Brutus fays, he was ambitious;
And Brutus is an honourable man,
You all did fee, that, on the Lupercal,
I thrice prefented him a kingly crown,
Which he did thrice refufe. Was this ambition?
JULIUS CiESAR.
33i
Yet Brutus fays, he was ambitious ;
And, fore, he is an honourable man.
I fpeak nor to difprove what Brutus fpoke.
But here I am to fpeak what I do know.
You all did love him once, not without caufei
What caufe withholds you then to mourn for him ?
0 judgement, thou art fled to brutifh bcafts,
And men have loft their reafon ! — Bear with me ;
My heart is in the coffin there with Csefar,
And I muft paufe till it come back to me/
J. Cir* Methinks^ there is much reafon in hk
fayings.
2, CiT. If thou confider rightly of the matter^
Caefar has had great wrong.
3, C/n Has he, mafters ?
1 fear, there will a worfe come in his place.
4, Cm Mark'd ye his words? He would not
take the crown;
Therefore, 'tis certain, he was not ambitious.
I. Cir* If it be found fo, fome will dear abide it.
a, Cir. Poor foul ! his ty^s^ are red as fire with
weeping.
3. Cir. There's not a nobler man in Rome, than
Antony,
r
• My hart is ift the c&fift there fwith C*f/ar,
And i mufi paufe till $i came heck t& meJ\ Perhaps our authof
iccoUedcd the following paflagc in rhntel'a CieQpmm, i ^^^ i
" As for my iove, fay, Antony hath all ;
*■ Say that my keart is gunf >ut& ihe grat^
•* With hinij in whom it rcfts, and ever (hall/' Maloki»
The paifage from Daniel is Iittk more than an imitanon of pare
of Dido's fpetch in the fecond iEneid^ v» 28 & fcq.
lUe mcos ■ amorcs
Abftalitj ilk habcic fccain, fervct^tae feptikliro.
ST££V£aft,
JULIUS C.€SAR.
4. CiT. Now mark him, he begins again tofpcak^
Ant* But yefterday the word of Ca^far might
Have flood again ft the world ; now lies he there,
And none fo poor * to do him reverence*
0 mafters! if I were difpoa'd to ftir
Your hearts and minds to mutiny and rage,
1 fhould do Brutus wrong, and Cafltus wrong.
Who, you all know, are honourable men:
I will not do them wrong; I rather choofe
To wrong the dead, to wrong myfelt^ and you.
Than I will wrong fuch honourable men,
But here's a parchment, with the feal of Ca^far,
I found it in his clofet, 'tis his will:
Let but the commons hear this teftament,
(Which, pardon me, I do not mean to read,}
And they would go and kifs dead C^far's wounds.
And dip their napkins * in his lacred blood j
Yea, beg a hair of him for memory,
And, dying, mention it within their wills.
Bequeathing it, as a rich legacy^
.Unto their iflue.
4, C/n Weil hear the will ; Read it, Mark An*
tony.
Cm The will, the will; we will hear Csefar*!
wilL
Jnt* Have patience, gentle friends, I muft not
read it ;
It is not meet you know how Ca^far lov'd you.
You are not wood, you are not ftones, but men j
' Affd nme /q po&r ] The mcaneil man is now too bighot
do reverence to C^far. J oh nso jf .
* ihfit napkins ] u c. tlidr {iindkerch]c&« N^i^^
waft the ancient term for aH kmds of liaen*. Sx%% v e ns .
N/ipiifi 15 tlie northern term for handhrrchkf^ and is ufed In thb
Jenftr at ibif dny in Scotland, Our author frcqutnily ufcs tb€ wofi*
See Vol, VI, p, 1^1, n, ^; and Vol, VM, p. 41^, n, 7^ M4L0tri.
JULIUS CiESAR,
337
the
Csefar.
I, being men^ hearing
It will inflame you, it will niake you mad :
'Tis good you know not that you arc his heirs;
For if you Ihould, O, what would come of it !
I 4^ Cir. Read the will ; we will hear it, Antony j
pTou fhall read us the will ; Cxfar's wilL
I Ant. Will you be patient? Will you ftay a
f while?
I have o'er-fhot myfelf, to tell you of it.
I fear, I wrong the honourable men,
^hofe daggers have ftabb'd Caefar: I do fear it.
4- Ctr^ They were traitors : Honourable men !
Cir. The will 1 the teftament I
2, Cir, They were villains, murderers: The
rill ! read the will !
Ant. You will compel me then to read the will ?
Then make a ring about the corpfe of Caefar,
And let me ihow you him that made the will.
Shall I defcend ? And will you give me leave ?
Cir^ Come down.
2. Cir. Defcend.
\^He comes down from the putpii.
3. Cir. You fhall have leave.
4. Cir, A ring I ftand round.
I. Cir* Stand from the hearfe, ftand from the
>dy.
I 2. Cir* Room for Antony ; — moft noble Antony,
i Ant. Nay, prefs riot fo upon me ; ftand far off.
K Cir* Stand back ! room ! bear back I
1^ jffjvr. If you have tears, prepare to Ihcd them
^ now.
You all do know this mantle; I remember
Vol. XII. Z
33»
JULIUS C/ESAR.
■ *
1
4
The firft time ever C^far put it on ;
'Twas on a fummer^s evening, in his tcnti
That day he overcame the Ncrvii : —
Look! in this place^ ran Caflius' dagger through;
Sec, what a rent the envious Cafca made :
Through this, the well^beloved Brutus ftabb'dj
And, as he pluck'd his curfed flee! away^
Mark haw the blood of Caefar followed it;
As ruilaing out of doors, to be refolv'd
If Brutus fo unkindly knock'd, or no j
For BrutuSj as you know, was Ca^far's angel
Judge, O you gods, how dearly Caefar lov*d him!
This was the moft unkindelt cut of all :
For when the noble Caefar faw him ftab.
Ingratitude, more llrong than traitors* arms.
Quite vanquifh'd him : then burft his mighty heart j
And, in his mantle muffling up his face, I
Even at the bafe of Fompcy's (latua,^
Which all the while ran blood," great C^far fdl-
O, what a fall was there, my countrymen ! M
s Fcr BfMtmt m ym km^^ "wm Cserar's an^l :] This tbk of i
endearment is more than once introduced in Sidney's Arcadia. fl
Srif vf If. W
* J^^iW at ihf hafe «/ F^mpfff ftatua,] [Old copy — ^0aru/.l It
if not our autKor's pradicc to make the adverb m^n^ a diiSr^U^.
If it be coniidcred as a mpnofy liable, the meafgre is dcfefUvti 1
fufped therefore he wrote — at Pompey's faimt* Th« wofd mt%
not yet completely dcnizen'd in his time. E^umont, in his Mafquc,
mnit%\i ftatUiS^ and iis ^Xanljiatuacu Vet, it muff be acknow-
ledged, that ^17/ w is ufca more than once in this play* ai a diiTy^
labk. Malokc,
See VoL IIL p. 27 j^ n, 0 ; and Vol* X, p, 594., n. |,
&TItVK3tf»
' Whkh a!i thi nj^lik Ttm himi^'\ The image feems to be, dut
the bbod of Cxfar flew open, the ftatoe, m^ trickled down ii.
JOHHMH*
Shakfpeare took ihefe words from Sir Thomas ^<o^th'* Trw^*
Nation of Piuiarch: " againU the very bafewhereoo fo«npe|l
image ilood^ w^^ifr mm uU 4i,^QFi ofkl^^ till he was Rain."
i
JULIUS CAESAR,
339
■Then I, and you, and all of us fell down,
PVhilft bloody treafon flourifh'd ' over us.
0> now you weep ; and, I perceive, you feel
K'^he dint of pity : ^ thefe are gracious drops,
ind fouls, what* weep you, when you but behold
Our C^far*s vefture wounded? Look you here,
Here is himfelf, marr'd, as you fee, with traitors,*
II. CiT. O piteous fpeiitacle!
2, Cm O noble Caefar !
3. Crr. O woful day !
4* Cir. O traitors, villains!
I, C/r- O moft bloody fight !
2, Cit* We will be reveng'd: revenge; about,
— feek, — burn, — fire, — kill, — flay ! — let not a trai-
tor live.
-] i. c. flourttheci the fword. So,
** AnAfavrifi^fs his blade in fpite of me/' Ste evens*
9 The dint «/"/'{>'*'] is the impreffioTi of pity.
The word Win common ufe among our ajacient writers. So, in
Prcfton'a Camhjfei :
^ *' Your grace therein may hap receive, with odier for your
■ parte,
^ " 1 he deni of d«ath/* kc^
t" HcfhaUdyebyi^inii^offword, or el fc by choking rope/*
Stecvens.
■ Htrt h himfitf^ marrM, m jm firt^ mjith irmtart^^ To mar
(eems to have anciently fignified to Uctratt^ So, in Salyman and
Ptr/tda^ a tragedy, 1 599, BaiiHfco feeling the end of his dagg^,
BT ** This point will mar her Ikin," Ma lone*
^To mar fomctimes fignifies to deface ^ as 111 Othtih:
*' Nor mar that whiter flun of hers than fnow — .**
and fometimes to deftroy, as in Tim<in af Athens :
•' And mar men s rpurring*"
Ancient alliteratjon always produces mar as the oppoilteof makt^
Steiviks,
z 2
S40
JULIUS C/ESAR.
Ant. Stay, countrymen.
1, C/r* Peace there: — ^Hearthe noble Antony.
2, CtT. We'll hear him, we'll follow him, well
die with him,
Jnt. Good friends, fwect friends, let me notftir
you up
To fuch a fudden flood of mutiny.
They, that have done this deed, are honourable;
What private griefs they have, alas, I know not,
That made them do it ; they are wife, and honour-
able,
And will, no doubt, with reafons anfwer you,
I come not, friends, to fteal away your hearts ;
I am no orator, as Brutus is :
But, as you know me all, a plain blunt man.
That love my friend; and that they know full well
That gave me publick leave to fpcak of him.
For I have neither wit/ nor words, nor worthy
* Fer I ha^ve ntithtr wit,] [Old copy — na/r//.] So^ in K^
m^fyVL P, II:
** Now, my good lordj let's fee the drviPa iit^tl^
i.e. *mriHug* Again ^ in Hamkt: *' — the law- of ^wfTflf and the i
liberty p" — The editor of the fecond folio, who altered whiiev^cr
he did nnt underftand, fubftituicd ^ni for *wru. Wit in our iiithor*i
time had not its prefent fi^nificatiod, but meant wndcrfimtdiag*
Would Shakfpeare make Antony declare himfelf void of camiooii
intelligence ? Ma l o k e.
The firfl folio (and, I believe^ through a tniflake of the prdi}bt
— %vrlt^ which in the fecond folio was properly changed into — ns'i/*
Dr, Johnfon, however, fuppofes that by *uirit was meant a *' penned
aiul premeditated oration,'*
But the artful fpcaker, on thi^ fudden call for his excrciont, wai
furely defignecfj with affcifted nsodcrty. to rcprcfeiii himfclf as oaf
who had neither tv*/, (i* e, ftrength of mtderft&nJijtg) perfttafiTt
language, weight of charafter, graceful a^ion, hiintiony of voice
Jtc, (the ufual reqtiiiites of an orator) to influence the tntnds < ' '
people. Was it neceifary, therefore, that, on an occatioo fo f
tatcj he ihould Save urged that he had brought Tko^wriit^m fp..
hii pocket I fince every f crfon who heard him tnuft I^vc \fGM
JULIUS C^SAR.
34»
I
Atftion^ nor utterance, nor the power of fpcech.
To ftir men's blood : I only fpeak right on-
I tell you that, which you yourfelves do know ;
Show you fweet Cscfar's wounds, poor^ poor dumb
mouths,
And bid them fpeak for me ; But w ere I Brutus,
AikI Brutus Antony, there were an Antony
Would ruffle up your fpirits> and put a tongue
In every wound of Caefar, that Ihould move
The ftones of Rome to rife and mutiny,
C/n WeMl mutiny.
i» Cir* Well burn the houfe of Brutus,
3, Cir. Away then, come, feek the confpirators.
Asr. Yet hear me, countrymen ; yet hear me
fpeak.
C/T* Peace, ho ! Hear Antony, moll noble An-
tony,
Ant* Why friends, ) ou go to do you know not
what :
Wherein hath Csefar thus deferv'd your loves ?
Alas, you know not : — I muft tell you then : —
You have forgot the will I told you o£
CiT. Mofl: true; — the will ; — let's ftay, and hear
the will
Asr. Here is the will, and under Csefar 's feal*
Ta every Roman citizen he gives^
aware thac the interval between ihe death of C^far, and the time
prefent, would have been inadequate to fuch a composition, which
indeed coo Id not have been produced at all, unlefs, like the Indkt-
meal of Lord Haliiogs in King Rkh^rd IlL it had bceti got ready
through a premonition of the event (hat would require it,
U hat w ft) led tht dcvirs -u/n/ in K, Htnry FL P. IL is the dc-
r>fition of the dsrmon, 'whiii$i down htiott witntflTe* on the ftagc*
therefore continue to read with the fccond folio, being unambU
lions of reviving the blunders of the firft, Sr£EVENs»
342 JULIUS C ;E S A R,
To every fevcral man, feventy five drachmas J
2. Ctr, Moft noble Caefar ! — Weil revenge hif
death.
3, Or. O royal Caefarl
Ant. Hear me with patience,
C/r. Peace, ho I
Ant, Moreover^ he hath left you all his walks.
His private arbours, and new-planted orchards,
On this fide Tiber; * he hath left them you,
And to your heirs for ever; common picafures,
To walk abroad, and recreate yourfelves.
Here was a Caefar: When comes fuch another?
1. C/n Never, never: — Come, away, away:
Weil burn his body in the holy place>
And with the brands fire the traitors' houfes.*
-fif^jeatj'/vt drachmas-] A drachma was a Creek coin,
the fame as the Roman Jt^ufer, of the value of foar fcftcroe*, 74.
ob- Steevi-ns.
4 On this J^de Tiif^r ;] The fcene b here m the Forum near tJ*c
Capkol, ^nd b the moft frequented part of the city ; but C^ar'f
gardens were veiy re mote from that quarter :
Trans Tiberim Imgt athm h, prt^p€ Csfaris hortos,
faj^s Horace: atid both the Naumachia and gardens of C^ar wtst
fcparated from iht main city by the ri\xr ; and lay otit wSdCp OH
a line with Mount Janicnlum. Our aythor therefore omdxSif
wroic :
Oft ^iktfidt Tikr; — —
ind Plutarch* whom Shaklpcare very diligently ftudtcd« in Tht
Life rf Marcm Brtiim^ fpcaking of C^fars will, exprelkly fiyt^
'fhat he left to the publick his gardens^ and waJks^ Btjmd tb
Tiber, THEOflALD.
This emendation has been adopted by the fubfeqocnt editorii
but hear the old tranllation^ where Shakf^mes Jl^dj lay- •• H«
bequeathed unio every citizen of Rome fevcnty-five dra^lixiM t
faan, and he left his gardens and arlwurs unto the people, wMcJi
be had on i^u fide ofthc river Tiber.'* Far me n.
* fire fhf traifi>rr heufes,] Thus the old copy. The more
inodciB editors read— ire ail the traitor a hoyfei i but/rr waj thai
JULIUS C^SAR. 343
Take up the body.
2. Or. Go, fetch fire.
3. Cir. Pluck tiown benches.
4. Cir. Pluck down forn>s, windows, any thing.
[^Exeunt Citizens, with the body.
Asr. Now let it work : Mifchkf, thou artafoott
Take thou what courfe thou wilt! — ^How now,
fellow ?
Enter a Servant.
Serf. Sir, Odavius is already come to Rome.
Ant. Where is he ?
Serf. He and Lepidus are at Caefar's houfe.
Ant. And thither will I ftraight to vifit him :
He comes upon a wifh. Fortune is merry.
And in this mood will give us any thing.
Serf. I heard him fay, Brutus and Caflius
Arc rid like madmen through the gates of Rome.
Asr. Belike, they had fome notice of the people.
How I had mov'd them. Bring me to Odtavius.
[^Exeunt.
SCENE III.*
The fame. A Street.
Enter Cinna the Poet.
Cjn. I dreamt to-night, that I did feaft with
Caefar,'
pronoonced, as it was fometimes written, for. So, in Humors
Ordhtaty, a coHedion of Epimms :
«« Oh rare compound, a dying hoHc to choke,
•• Of Englilh^r and of Indian fmokc !" Stbe vehs.
♦ Scne IJL] The fubjefl of this fcene is taken from Plutarch.
STBBVENt,
Z4
m
JULIUS C^SAR.
And things unluckily charge my fantafy:
I have no will to wander forth of doors/
Yet fbmething leads me forth,
Enfer Citizens*
1 , C/r- What is your name ?
2, Cir, Whither are you going?
3- Or* Where do you dwell ?
4. Cir. Are you a married man, or a bachelor
2. CiT. Anfwer every man diredty,
I- Cir, Ay> and briefly.
4* Ctr. Ay, and wifely.
3. Or. Ay, and truly, you were beft,
CiK. What is my name ? Whither am I going
Where do 1 dwell ? Am I a married man, or a ba-
chelor? Then to anfwer every man dirc<ftly, and
briefly, wifely, and truly* Wifely I fay, I am a
bachelor,
2, Or. That's as much as to fay, they are fools
that marry: — Youil bear me a bang for that, I
fear. Proceed; diredly.
On. Dire(5tly, I am going to Ciefar's funeral*
I • Or- As a friend, or an enemy ?
CiN. As a friend-
a. Or. That matter is anfwer*d direftly.
» / drtami io-wtwhtt that / diiftaft ^c] I Icani from an old bludt
letter treat ifc on Fortune-telling Ax, that to At^^m '* of being ai
hmnquiU^ betokeneih raisfortunc'* Arc* STiEvtNt,
* — * thingi jtHtmkilj ebarge my faHt&fy^l 1. e. circumftmcCT
opprcTs my fancy with aa jU-omcn'd weight, Sxi £V t ji s.
9 I hm*f no wii t<t fwendftfink tfdoon^ flfc] Thus, Sh^rlodc :
*' I have fio mind of feafting forth to night :
" But I will gp," St£ivsws#
JULIUS C /E S A R.
34$
4* Cm For your dwelling, — briefly.
CiN* Briefly, I dwell by the CapitoL
»3* Cir, Your name, fir, truly.
C/if- Truly, my name is Cinna.
*l. Or. Tear him to pieces, he's a confpirator.
_ C/AT. I am Cinna che poet, I am Cinna the poet*
P 4, Ctr, Tear him for his bad verfes, tear him for
hi$ bad verfes.
Ci^. I am not Cinna the confpiraton
4. Cir. It is no matter, his name*s Cinna; pluck
but his name out of his heart, and turn him going.
II 3- Ctr. Tear him, tear him, .Come, brands, ho !
re-brands. To Brutus', to Cafllus' ; burn all-
Some to Decius' houfe, and fome to Galea's ; fome
Bius' : away ; go* [Exeunh
Act
The fame.
IV.
SCENE I.
A Room in Antony's bou/e.*
\
Antony, Octavius, and Lepidus, feated al a
I table.
Ant. Thefe many then ihall die; their names
are prick'd.
* Afitony^f hoa/r.] Mr. Rowe, atwi Mr, Pope after him,
tivc mark'd the fcene here to be at Rome, The old copies fay no-
ibtogof ill e place. Shakfpcare, I da rc fay, knew from Flmiarckp
llni thefe triumvirs mci:« upon the profcriprion, m a little ifland;
vrhicb Appian, who is more pnicular, fays, lay near Mutina, upoa
fbc river La vi n iy 5, Theobald,
A fmall iflajid in the little river Rhetiui near Bononia.
346 JULIUS C/ESAR.
Oct- Your brother too muft die; Confent youi
Lepidus ?
*Lef* I do confent*
Oct* Prick him down, Antony.
Lbp. Upon condition Publius fiiall not live^*
Who is your fifter^s fon, Mark Antony.
Ant. He ihall not live; look, with a fpot I
damn him»^
Soj in the old tranflntion of Ffutarch : ** Thereuppon all tlute
met together (to wete^ Csefar, Antoniui, & Lepidus] in in iflind
cnayroncd round about with a Utile riuer, Sc there remayncd three
dayes together* Now as touching all other matters, they wert txBf
agreed, Sc did detiide all the empire of Rome bawene them, as if
it had bene their owne inheritance. But yet they could hardly
agree whom they would put to death : for euery one of them wooM
kill their enemies, and faue their kinfmcn and friends. Yet it
length, giving place to their grtedy dcfire to be reuengcd of th&r
enemies, they fpiirned all rcuercnce of blood and holincs of friends
ftitp at their fccle. For C-efar left Cicero to Antonius* will, AafO"
Tijus alfo forfooice Lucins Cxfar, who was hb vncle by his moiher ;
and both of ihcm together fulFrcd Lepidus to kill his own brodicr
Paulus/* That Shakfttcare, however, meant the fccnc to be a
Kome, mav be inferred from what ;ilmoH immediaiely follows :
** hj>. What, ihall I find you here I
•* O^. Or here, or at the CapitoL'* Steevens.
The paflagc quoted by StecN'cns, clearly proves that the £oct^
thonld be laid in Rome. M, Ma&ok.
It is manifeft that Shakfpcarc intended the fccne to be at RncaCi
and therefore i have placed it in Antony's houfe. Maloki*
• Upon fvtiditim Pjihlitts Jhall mi /nv,] Mr. Upton hai fitfc
cicntly proved that the poet made a miftake as to this chariflrr
mentioned by Lepidus. Lucius, not Publius, was the pctfon roeaiit«
who was uncle by the mother's fide to Mark Antony : and in COO^
fequeoceof this, he concludes that Shakfpearc wrote:
J#w art his fitter's fbn, Mark Air?mj*
The miftakc, however, is more like the mi[(akeof the authufi
( ban of hii trail fc ribe r o r printer. St e t v e n s .
* damn him^] L e* csntUfrm him. So, in Prmmt mmi C^-
'* Vouch fafe to give my dnmnei)\xk^%TiA llfi:/'
Again, in Gliaucet^ AVjfAr<'i 7^/*-, v^ 17^7, Mr/ryrwbiit*icdit:
7
{
JULIUS C^SAR,
347
But, Lcpidus, go you to Csefar's houfe;
Fetch the will hither, and we will determine
How ro cut off feme charge in legacies,
Lef. What^ Ihali I find you here?
Oct, Or here, or at
The Capitol. [Exit Lepidus,
Ant. This is a flight unmeritable man^
Meet to be fent on errands ; Is it fit.
The three- fold world divided, he Ihould ftand
One of the three to fhare it ?
Oct, So you thought him^
And took his voice who fliould be prick 'd to die,
B|l our black fentence and profcription,
Asr> Odavius, I have feen more days than you :
^nd though we lay thcfc honours on this man^
Vo eafe ourfelves of divers flanderous loads.
He fliall but bear them as the afs bears gold/
To groan and fweat under the bufinefs,
Either led or driven, as we point the way ;
And having brought our treafurc where Me will.
Then take we down his load, and turn him off^
Like to the empty afs, to ihake his cars.
And graze in commons.
m Oct. You may do your will ;
But he*s a tried and valiant foldier.
Akt. So is my horfe, Octavius ; and> for that,
I do appoint him ftore of provender.
is a creature that I teach to fight.
** — by your confeiEoii
•• Hath d^mmd you, and I wol it necordc/' ST£EVEir».
f* ai ty afi hmrs gtfld^] This image had occurred betbre
iMfof^rf fsr Meafarc, Aft IIL fc I :
** — * lilce an *ifs whofe back with ingots bows,
** Thou bear'ft thy heavy riches but a journey,
^ Till death unloads ihcc,*' Ste £ v el k i.
348
JULIUS Ci^SA
To wind, to ftop, to run di redly on i
His corporal motion governed by my fpirit,
Andj in fome tafte, is Lepidus but fo;
He muft be taught, and trained, and bid go forth:
A barren-fpirited fellow i one that feeds
On objeifls, arts, and imitations ; ^
Which, put of ufe, and ftaTd by other men.
Begin his fafhion : * Do not talk of him.
4 -■!>«■ » me that fttdi
Oft obje^i, arU, and mhetkni ; Sec*
'Tis hard lo conceive, why he ihould be call'd a Barrem-ffmt^
fdlaw that could feed either on chje&s or aru : that is, as 1 pidumc^
form his ideas and judgment upon ihem : flale and ahfoitie imimim^
indeed, fixes fuch a charader* 1 am pcrfuadcd, to make I he poet
confonaiu to htmfcJf, we muft read, as 1 have reftored the text:
Oit abjefl oris,
i. e. on the firmp and fragm^nii of thbg* rwjeacimA dtj^fii by
others, Th sob a ld«
Sure, it is cafy enough to find a reafon why that devotee ro ple»-
fuTC and ambition, Antony, fhould call him hsfren^Jpiriui wfeo
could be content to feed his mind with nhUBt^ i. e, Jpead&tr,*
kn¥mhdgft<^i^rli^ i. Ci me€hitnkk nptrationt* I have therefore brougijl
back the old reading, though Nlr. Theobald's emcndarioo is mU
left before the reader. Lepidus, in the tragedy of Amumw mU
Cliopaira^ is icprcfcnted as inauifitlvc about theftrufturei of ^ypr,
and that too when he is almo^ in a (late of intoxication. Antooy*
at at pre fen E, makes a jeft of him, and returns hitn unintcQigihle
anfwers to very reafonal^le queftions*
Ohj^Htj however, may mean things ohjeBtd or thrown oat to
him. In thi» fenfe Shakfpcare ufca the verb /(? ^hjc^ in another
play, where I have given an inllance of its being employed by
Chapovm on the fame occafion. A man who can avail hirofcif
of neglefted hints thrown out by others, though without origin
ideas ofhls own, isnouncommon chara^er, STa£VE?i».
OhjeBi means, in Shakfpearc's Jangu:ige, whatever is prdenled I
to the eye* So, in ^imQn &f Ath^s^ *' Swear a^inft »^/ff,^
which Mr, Stccvcns has well ill uft rated by a line m our poetV
I ^ jd Jr^onnet :
" And made than fwear againft ihf thiffg they fee**'
Malovi.
Megi/i bitjttfiiQn:] Shakfppare has already wov^n thiscircam-
JULIUS C iE S A R.
349
But as a property.* And now, Odbivius,
Liftcn great things. — Brutus and Caffius,
Are levying powers : we muft ftraight make head :
Therefore lec our alliance be combined.
Our beft friends made, and our beft means ftretch'd
out;*
I
I
fbujc^e into ihc charadlcr of Juilkc Shallow : *' — He came ever
IB ihe raarw.ird of the fafhioji; ajid fung thofc tunes thai he heanl
the carmen whiille/' Ste evens*
* *> a property* ] i, e. as a thing quite at ourdifpofal, and ta
be treated as we pleafe* So, in Tmit if tk- Night :
•' They have here pro/rrtted me, kept me in darknefs/' Sec,
STE£VE!fS«
♦ Our hrji JrieHih madt^ ami QUt hefi mtffni Jfreuh'd eat \] In the
old copj by the carelelTnefs of the iranfcribcr or printer this line
it tSus imperfectly exhibited :
Our beft friends made^ our means ftretch'd ;—
The editor of the fecond folio fupplied the line hj reading —
Our bcfl friends made* and ocir iffft means ftretch'd out.
Thi« emendation, which all the modern cditori have adopted »
wti> like almofl all the other corredlons of the fecond folio » as HI
xonceived as poflibleHi For what is hefl means ? Meam^ or abilities »
if ^retch'd out^ receive no additional ftrength from the word heft^
nor docs mfcm, when con fide red without reference to others, as
the power of an individual, or the aggregated abilities of a body
of men, feem to admit of a degree ol comparifon. However that
may be, it is highly improbable that a tranfcribcr or compofttor
fhoold be gyilty of three errors in the fame line ; that he Ihould
otnii the word and in the middle of it ; then the word hrfi after
««r, and laftly the concluding word. It is much more probable
that the omifliBn was only at the end of the line, (an error which
IS found in other places in thefe plays ;) and that the author wrote,
ai I have printed :
Our beft friends made^ our means ftretch'd iQ ikt utmofi*
So« in a former fccne :
** —and, you know, {m meaftt^
" If he improve them, may well ftntch fi far^ — *''
Againj in the following paffage in C^rhiamt^ which, 1 truft^
wUJ juftify the emendation, now made i
** for thy revenge,
** Wrench up yGur/oiver to the hightft.'' Maloke«
I am faiisficd with the reading of the fecond folio, in which I
perceive neither aukwardnefi nor want of pcrfpicuiry, Beft h a
IS^
JULIUS C i€ S A R.
BsLV* Thou haft defcrib'd
A hot friend cooling : Ever note, LuciliuSp
When love begins to ficken and decay,
Itufeth an enforced cercnfiony.
There are no tricks in plain and fimple faith :
But hollow nnen, like horfes hot at hand.
Make gallant fhow and promifc of their mettle:
But when they fhould endure the bloody fpur^
They fall their crefts, and, like deceitful jades.
Sink in the trial. Comes his army on?
Lvc, They mean this night in Sardis to be quar-
tered ;
The greater part, the horfe m general.
Are come with Caflius. [March witbin.
Bru* Hark, he is arriv'd: —
March gently on to meet him-
Enter Cassius and Saldiers,
Cas. Stand, ho I
Bhu. Stand ho 1 Speak the word along.
WinuN* Stand.
fVirHiN. Stand.
fViTHiN^ Stand.
Os, Moft noble brother, you have done
wrong,
Bru. Judge me, you gods ! Wrong I mine ene-
mies ?
And, if not fo, how (hould I wrong a brother?
Cjs. Brutus, this fober form of yours hides wrongs;
And when you do them —
Bru* Caflius, be content.
Speak your griefs ^ foftly, — I do know you well :—
* j&Mr fif icfs — ] i. e. your grievances
76, fl. 7, and Vot VllI, p, 557, n* j,
Sec VoU IV. p.
«' #«.-* •*. •.
JULIUS CiESAR.
$i^
Hath given me fame worthy caufc to m ifli
Things done^ undone: but^ if he be ac haiid^
I ihail be fatisfied.
Prh\ I do not doubt.
But that my noble mailer w^ili appear
Such as he is, full of regard, and honour. •
Bru. He is not doubted. — A word, Lucilius;
How he receiv'd you, let me be refotv'd.
Luc. With courtefy^and with refped enough;
But not with fuch familiar inftances.
Nor with fuch free and friendly conference.
As he hath us'd of old*
tifmjs I could mtiifi mdme. This implies a dmht whicli of the iwd
was the cafe. Yet, immediately afters oq Pindarus*s faving^ //'>
nmjhr 'wm full q/ regard and heft&ur^ he replies, /// n mi £it^tdm
To reconcile this wc fhould read ;
lit his mjLfn charge, «r Ifj ill officers,
U e« Ekker hy th^/e Mftdtr his immtdiatt command^ er umdtr iht (9m~
mand of his lieuttnanis, wh had ahupd their trufl. Ch^r^e b fo
ufual a word in Shakfpeare, to ligmfy the forces committed to
the rruft of a coramaoder, that I miok it ucedkfs to gye any in-
ftances. W a n b u r t o n ,
The arguments for the change propofcd are infufEcicnt* Brutui
could not^ot know whether the wrongs committed wcie done by
thofe who were immeiiiately under the command of Caffiu5» or
thofc under his ofiicers* The anfvvcr of Brutus to the fcrvanE i*
only an ad^ of artful civility; his queftion to Lucilius prf:>ves, that
his fufpicion Hill continued. Yet I cannot but fufped a corruptionj
and would read :
hi his t^xjuM chmtgff or hy iU offices,*—*
That is, either changing his inclination cf himfilf^ or hy the ///
offices and bad i nfl uencei of others, j oh ?f so k ,
Surely alteration is unneccfltiy* In the fubfequeat eonfercoce
Brutus charges both Caffius and his ^^er Luciua Fclk# widi cor-
niption. Steevens,
Brutus immediately after fays to Lucilius, when he hear& hii «c-
count of the manner in which he had been received by CatHusj
" Thou haft defcrib^d
*' j^ ^<?/ friend cWw/jf/*
Thai is the change which Brutus complaini of, M. Maio^.
354
JULIUS CMSARi
That every nice offence ' ftiould bear his comineEC»
Bru. Let mc tell you, Caflius, you yourfelf
Arc much condcmn'd to have an itching palm;
To fell and mart your offices for gold,
To undefervers*
Cjs* I an itching palm ?
You know, that you are Brutus that fpeak this.
Or, by the gods, this fpeech were e!fe your laft.
Brv. The name of CafTius honours thit corrtip-^
tion,
And chaftifemcnt doth therefore hide hit head*
Cjs, Chaftifemcnt!
£ru. Remember March, the ides of March re-
member 1
Did not great Julius bleed for juftice' fake?
What villain touch'd his body, that did flab,
And not for juftice? * What, fhall one of us,
That ftruck the foremoll man of all this world.
But for fupporting robbers ; fhall we now
Contaminate our fingers with bafe bribes?
And fell the mighty fpaceof our large honours,
For fo much trafh, as may be grafped thus? —
1 had rather be a dog, and bay the moon.
Than fuch a Roman.
T t^ty nice ffff/f^^] L c. fmall ciiflkig ofibice,
&3, in gprnra mdJfJiH^ Ad V :
** The letter was not nice^ l»ut full of disrge
" Of dear imporL" Steevens,
* What viJJaia t$i^ei>*d kh My, that dii ft^^
And mt fir jf*ftk€ ^] Thb qucftion b far froni iiiip!)'iag ^
any of ihofc who touch 'd Cacfar's Ijody, were viUainsp Oi tk
contrary. It is an indirrO way of aflemng that there wu not cec
man among ihcm* who was bafc enough to ftib him for iny cjd#
bui tbftt ofjulUcc. Malokb,
I
b
JULIUS C^SAR, 351
Of. ^»t*r f Brums* bay not me^^ ,
ril HOC endure it; you forget yourfelf.
To hedge me in ; * I am a foldier, I^
Older in practice/ abler than yourfelf
To make conditions,*
^ Caf. Br/tm^ hzy nei m^J The old copy — hait tioi me. Mf-
Theobald and alt the fubfcqucnt editors read — haj not me ; and
the emendation is fufficicntly plaufiblc, our author having in Trm-
hi and Crejpdi* yfed the wurd haj in the fame fenfe ;
*• Wh^t moves Ajax thus to i^y at him 1'*
Btic as he has likcwife twice uTed tsit in the fenfe required hercj
the text, in my apprrhenfion, ought not to be difturbecL •* I will
not yield/' fays Macbeth,
" To kifs the ground before yoting Malcolm's feet,
** And to be bmttd with the tabble's corfe/'
Agile, in C^riohmus :
*« — why flay we to be haitfd
" With one that wants her wits V
So J jjfo in a comedy in titled Ha^ fo ek^fi a gmd *wtfe /r&m m
" Do I cotne home fo fckloroj and that feldom
" Amtxhm&mitdr*
The reading of the old copy, which I have reftoredf is Hkcwift
fupportcd by a paffage in Kivg Richard III:
** To be fo bmied^ fcorn'd, and itorm'd at." Malomb,
The fecond folio ^ on both occafions, has — bait ; and the fpirit of
the reply win, in my judgement* bedimimflicdj unlcfs a repetitioil
of the one or the other word be admitted. I therefore continue to
read with Mr. Theobald* Baj^ in out author* may be as frequent-
Jy escemplified a^ Baii^ It occuri again in the play before ui* ai
well as m J Midfttmmir^Night's Drmmt Cjmhiime^ Kwg ^<^r> IK
P» IL &c* ^c. Steeveks-
* T& ifedge mr in ;] That is, to limit my authority by ypur di-
reifiion or cenfure. Job nso n»
* / &m afddier^ I,
Oider in ^radke^ &c.] Thus the ancient copic*; but the mo<.
dcm editors, infleadof /* have rtad^^, becaofc the vowel / fome-
timc^ ilands for iij the affirmative adverbs I have replaced the ol j
leading, on the authority of the fot lowing line ;
Ami / am Eruimi Hnnm Bmim L Steeveks*
See Veil. IX. p> 84, n. jp. Ma lone.
4 T& mnkt cmditi^ns.^ That is, to know on what tcrmi tt ti fll
10 confer the ofltcei which aie at my difpofal. JoH«i<sK,
A a 2
358 JULIUS CiESAR,
By any indired:ion. I did fend
To you for gold to pay my legions.
Which you deny'd me : Was that done like Caffius?
Should I have anfwer'd Caius Caflius fb ?
When Marcus Brutus grows fo covetous.
To lock fuch rafcal counters from his friends.
Be ready, gods, with all your thunderbolts,
Dafh him to pieces !
Cas. 1 deny'd you not.
Bru. You did.
Cjs. I did not : — he was but a feed,
That brought my anfwer back.^ — Brutus hath riv'd
my hearts
A friend (hould bear his friend's infirmities.
But Brutus makes mine greater than they are.
Bru. I do not, till you praftife them on me.*
Cjis. You love me not.
Bru. I do not like your hulls.
Cas. a friendly eye could never fee fuch faults.
Bru. a flatterer's would not, though they do
appear
this place, had any deeper meaning than in the following line is
A Mid/ummer Nimbi's Dream :
** Hard'banded WKti that work in Athens here."
Holt Whiti*
Mr. H. White might have fupported his opinion , (with which I
perfcAly concur) by another inftancc, from Cymbeline :
" hands
** Made hourly hard with falfehood as wih labottr.^
Stiitiii-
5 — jwjf<wj/aiwback,] The word back is unDeceiiary to Ac
iSenfe, and /poils the meafure. Ste evens.
* Bm. J do not^ till you fraaife them on mg.'\ The
this : I do not look for your faults, I only fee them, and
them with vehemence, when you force them info my notice, ^
pra&tfittg them om mt. JoH nson.
JULIUS CiESAR.
3S9
U huge as high Olympus^
Cjs, Come, Antony, and young Otftavius, comCt
Revenge yourfclves alone on CaiTius,
For Caflius is aweary of the world :
Hated by one he loves ; brav'd by his brother?
IChcck'd like a bondman; all his faults obferv'd^
'set in a note-book^ learned, and conn'd by rote.
To caft into my teeth. O, I could weep
ffAy fpirit from mine eyes ! — There is my dagger^
■And here my naked bread; within, a heart
Dearer than Plutus* mine, richer than gold :
If that thou bc'ft a Roman, take it forth ;^
I, that dcny'd thee gold, will give my heart :
Strike, as thou didft at Caefar ; for, I know,
When thou didft hate him worft, thou lov'dft him
better
Than ever thou lov'dft Caffius.
fc BRa, Sheath your dagger:
^c angry when you will, it fliatl have fcope ;
Do what you will, difhonour fhail be humour.
O Cafllus^ you are yoked with a lamb
That carries anger, as the flint bears fire ;
Who, much enforced, (tiows a ha fly fpark.
And ftraight is cold again*
* Cjs. Hath Caflius Iiv*d
■To be but mirth and laughter to his Brutus,
When grief, and blood ill-tempcr*d, vexeth him?
b £itu. When I fpokethat, I was ill-temper'd, too.
■ t 7/" that thm bc*Il a Roman, fak it fink i kc] I think be
fpeant anly^ that he is fo far from avarice, when the caulc of his
cf>tjntry requires liberality, i hat if any man fhtjiuld with for hb
bc^n* he would not need enforce his dcfire any other wife, than \sf
^ i0wifig that he was a Romaiu Jqhkson*
TUi (bems oniy a tbrm of adjuradon like that of Brut as ^ p, 564 :
*' NoWf mjmi art a R^man^ tell me true/'BtACK£TOiiE«
A a 4
36o JULIUS C^SAR.
Cas. Do you confefs fo much? Give me your
hand.
Bru. And my heart too.
Cas. O Brutus !—
Bru. Whafs the matter?
Cas. Have you not love enough to bear with mc.
When that rafli humour, which my mother gave m^
Makes me forgetful ?
Bru. Yes, Caflius; and, henceforth,*
When you are over-earneft with your Brutus,
He'll think your mother chides,^ and leave you ib.
[Noi/e within.
Poet, [within.'] Let me go in to fee the generak;
There is ibme grudge between them, 'tis not meet
They be alone.
Luc.' [within.] You fhall not come to them.
: Poet. [w/VA/>r.] Nothing but death Ihallftay me.
Enter Poet.*
Cas. How how? Whafs the matter?
Poet. For fhame, you generals ; What do you
mean ?
^ m^^^and, henceforth,] Oldcqpy, redandantlyinidpcAbolh
•f fcnfc and meafure : — ** and from henceforth** But the prefat
•miffion is countenanced by many paflages in our author, faewkitk
following in Macbeth :
" — Thanes and kinfroen,
« Hencefirthhceac^ii.*' Stiivems.
) chidesA i. e. is clamorous, fcolds. So,iii^jr«Alfif*
** For what had he to do to chide at me ?" Stietiiii.
' ' * Enter Poet.] Shakfpeare found the prefent incident in PhtffA
The intruder, however, was Marcus Phaonau, who had bccai
friend and follower of Cato; not a poet, but one who aflbned tbc
chandler of a cynick philofopher. Stebvbiis.
JULIUS C/ESAR.
361
Love, and be friends, as two fuch men Ibould bc;
For I have fceii more ycarsj I am furc, than ye J*
Cj$. Ha, ha ; how vilely doth this cynic k rhime !
£mu. Get you hence, firrah ; faucy fellow, hence.
Cas. Bear with him, Brutus ; 'tis his falhion,
Bru* lil know his humour, when he knows his
time ;
What (hould the wars do with thefe jigging fook ? *
* Lot/tt and he /rifnJf^ as tni.^ fuch mtn fi^uM hf \
For J htpvefern mGrtjean^ 1 &m/urt, than ^i,^ This paflage If
a tfatlJIaiion from ibe following one in the firft book q£ Hamin
which is thu& given in Sir Thomaa North's P/atartk :
** My lords, I pray you hcarktn both to me,
*' Fur 1 have fcen more ycaxs than fuch yc three/*
■ Whet ^uld thi 'wars in f^th th^fi \\%^n% fmh f^ i. c* witli
^cfe fill^ fathu A jig fkgm^tdf in our author's time, a metrical
cpin portion, as wdt a$ a £uice. So^ in the praJoguc to Fletcher's
^atr Mmd of the Inn :
** A Jig fhall be clapp'd at, and every rfyme
** Prais'd and applauded by a clamorous chime/*
rSec note on Ham/et^ AdllL fc. ii.]
A ni Oik rn editor, (Mr. CapelJ,) who, after having devoted the
greater pan of his life lo the ftudy of old books, appears to have
been extremely ignorant of ancient EngliHi literature, not koow^ing
ihis, for jiiimg* reads (after Mr. Pope,) jingitHg, His work ex-
hibits above AW Hundred alicrationa of the genuine text, equally
cipricious and unwarrantabicp
This editor, of whom it wasjuftly faid by the late BiJhap of
Gloccitcr, that " he had hung himjUfm chaints^er aurpt^et'sgra^e,'*
haHng boafted in his preface, that ** his emendations of the text
were at lea ft equal in number to thofe of ali the other editors and
commentators put together," I fome years ago had the curiofity to
look into his volumes with this particular view. On examination
I then found, thai, of three hundred and twenty-five emendations
of the ancient copies, which, as I then thought, he had proper!/
leceivcd into his text, /^u^ kutidreJ and ei^htj ■Ji'ue were fuggeftrf
by fome former editor or commentator, and forty only by himfclf.
But on a fccond and more rigorous examinaiion T now Bnd^ that
«}f the emendatioiiM pr^^rij adopted, (the number of which ap-
36i JULIUS C^SAR.
Companion, hence*
Cas. Away, away, be gone. [Exit Poet.
Enter Lucilius and Titinius.
Brv* Lucilius and TitiniuB> bidthecommanden
Prepare to lodge their companies to-night.
Cas. And come yourfelves, and bring Meflala
with you
Immediately to us.
[Exeunt Lucilius and Titiniui.
Bru. Lucius, a bowl of wine.
Cas. I did not think, you could have been fp
angry.
Bru. O Caffius, I am fick of many griefs.
Cas. Of your philofophy you make no ufe.
If you give place to accidental evils.
Bru. No man bears forrow better: — Portia is
dead.
Cf5. Ha! Portia?
Bru. She is dead.
Cas. How fcap'd I killing, when I crofs'd you
fo? —
O infupportable and touching lofs ! —
Upon what ficknefs ?
pears to be ittuch fmaller than that above-mentioned,) be has a
claim to not more than fifteen. The innovations and arbitncT
alterations, either adopted from others, or firfl introduced b/ thu
editor, from ignorance of our antient cuftoms and phrafco]og3r»
amount to no lefs a number than Nine Hundred and Seviktt
TWO ! ! It is highly probable that man/ yet have efcaped my no-
tice. Ma LONE.
3 Companion, henfe,'] Companion is ufed as a term of reproach
in many of the old plays ; as we fay at ^ttknx^—feUoiu. So, in
Kin^ Henty IF. ?. II. Doi Teariheet fays to Piftol :
** — — Ifcornyou, {curvy companion," Sec. Steeveks.
7
JULIUS C ;E S A R.
363
Br u. Impatient of my abfcncc %
And griefj that young Oc'tavius with Mark Antony
Have made thcmfelves fo ft rang ; — for with her
death
That tidings came ; — With this fhe fell diftradl.
And, her attendants abfent, fwallow'd fire,*
Cds. And died fo?^
* jtfW, her mi^dftfiti ahfonr^ ftvaihui/d fitf,'] TliU circumftaocc
is taken from PUiank, It is iilfo mentioned by FaL Ma^rimMs,
h cantiot, however, be amifs to remark, that the death of
Portia mzy wum that foundation which has hitherto entitled her to
a place in poctrj^ as a partem of Roman fortitude* She is reported,
by Pliny, 1 think, to have died at Rome of 1 lingering ill tie fi
w hile Bf utus was abroad ; but fome writers feem to look on a
t^rural death ai a derogation from a dlflingutfhed charafier^
Valerius Maximum fays that Portia Jarviz^d Brutua, and killed
berfclf on hcnnng that her hufband was defeated and {lain Rt Phl^
lippi* Plutarch's account in Tiff Life pf Bruwsh aa follows:
*• And for Portia ^ Brutus' wife, Nicolaus the philofopher, and
Valerius Maximus, doe wryte, that ftie determining to kill her
fclfe, (her parents and friends carefullie looking to her to kepeher
from It,) tookc hotte burning coles, and caft them into her month,
and kept htr mou:h fo cbfe, that fhe choked her felfe, — ^Therc
wa* a letter of Brutus found, wrytren to his frendcs* complaining
of ihtir nfgtigmct ; that his wife being ficke, they would not heipe
ber, but fnffercd her to kill her (tiftt, choofmg to dye rather than
to languish in paine. Thus it appeareth that Nicolaus knew not
well ihat fme, fith the letter (at leaft if it were Brutus* letter,)
doth plainly declare the difeafc and love of this lady,- and the
m a nne r of he r d^th / ' N orth *s Tmrijiaikftt,
Sec alfo Martial p L t, ep, 41, Valerius Maxim us, and Nico*
laus, and Plutarch, all agree in faying chat fbe put an end to her
life ; and the letter, if a u then tick, afcertains that ibe did fo in the
life-time of Brutus*
Our author therefore, wc fee, had fufficient authority for hh
rcprefenlution, MaLone,
* Jfiddudfi? S:^.] 1 fuppofe, thefe three fhort fpeeches wcii
meant to form a fingle vcrfc, and originally Hood as ii:41owi:
Caf. /h/diedfi?
CaC Immorta! godi /
3^4 JULIUS CiESAR.
Bru. Evenfo,
Ca$* O ye immortal gods !
Enter Lucius, with wim and tapers*
Bru* Speak no more of her. — Give mc a bowl
of wine : —
In this I bury all unkindnefs, CafRus. [Drii/Jtr,
Cas* My heart is chirfty for that noble pledge : —
Fill, Lucius, till the wine o'er-fwell the cup ;
I cannot drink too much of Brutus' love. [Driith^
Re-enter Titinius, wiib Messaia.
£ru. Come in^Titinius : — ^ Welcome, good Mef.
fala. —
Now fit we clofe about this taper here^
And call in queftion our nccefTities.
O5. Portia ! art thou gone ?
Bmu, ' No more, I pray you,—
Meffala, I have here received letters.
That young Odavius, and Mark Antony,
Come down upon us with a mighty power.
Bending their expedition toward Philippic
Mes, My fel f have letters of the felf-fame tcnoun
Bru. With what addition?
Me$. That by profcription, and bills of outtawi^^
Odavius, Antony^ and Lepidus,
Have put to death an hundred fenators*
Bru. Therein our letters do not well agree ;
Mine fpeak of feventy fenators, that died
By their profcriptions, Cicero being one.
The tragick Ms and Oifj interpolated by the playcn, art loo
ffcqucntly permitted to derange our author's incafurc, STi«vi?«^
JULIUS CvESAR.
3<l
I
Cas* Cicero one?
Mes. A/i Cicero is dead,^
And by that order of profcription, —
Had you your letters from your wife, my lord?
Bru, N0| Meflala,
Mes* Nor nothing^in your letters writ of her? ,
Bru, Nothing, Meflala,
Mms. That, mcthinks, is ftrange.
Bru. Why afk you? Hear you aught of her ia
yours ?
Mes. No, my lord<
Bau, Now, as you arc a Roman, tell me true,
Mes* Then like a Roman bear the truth I tell ;
For certain llie is dead, and by ftrange manner,
Bru. Why, farewell, Portia. — We muft die,
Meflala :
With meditating that flie muft die once,*
I have the patience to endure it now.
Mes* Even fo great men great lofTes ftiould en-
dure.
Cjs. I have as much of this in art' as you.
But yet my nature could not bear it fo.
Bru* Well, to our work alive. What do you
think
Of marching to Philippi prefently ?
* A7, CicerQ is dead,] For the inrertlon of rbe aiErmative ad?*rbj
to complete the verfc, I am anfwerable. Steevens,
^ mff,] i. c at fomc liroc or other* So, in Ti^e Mtm
Wives pfWindfir:
** 1 pray, thee mce to-night
'* Give my fwcet Nan this rbg/'
See Vol, in. p< 4541 n, 7* Steevins.
1 ..^^/«vt*»] That if, in thcoiy* Maioke.
366 JULIUS CJESAR.
Cas. I do not think it good.
Sru* Your reafon?
Cjs, This it is:*
*Tis better, that the enemy feck us :
So ftiall he wafte his means, weary his foldicrs,
Doing himfelf offence ; whilft we, lying ftiU,
Are full of reft, defence, and nimblcnefs.
Bru* Good reafons muft, of force, give place to
better.
The people, 'twixt Philippi and this ground,
Do Hand but in a forced affedtion ;
For they have grudged us contribution:
The enemy, marching along by them.
By them fhall make a fuller number up.
Come on refreib'd, new-added, and encourag'df
From which advantage fhall we cut him off*
If at Philippi we do face him there,
Thefe people at our back.
Cjs, Hear me, good brother*
B&u. Under your pardon, — You muft note bc-
lide,
That we have try'd the utmoft of our friends.
Our legions are brim-full, our caufe is ripe ;
The enemy increafeth every day.
We, at the height, arc ready to decline-
There is a tide ^ in the affairs of men.
s Thu it is :] The ovcrftow of the mctre» and ihc difagrecab
eUfh of— >f //, with *Tit at the beginning of the next ]ine, arc ^
moft proofs that our autlior only wrote, with a commoQ dlipfis,—
Thisi^ — , St E EVENS.
* There h a tide &c.] Thit pafTage is poorly imitated hj Beau-
mont and Fktchcr, in The Cufi^m ^d^ Cmmry :
" 1 here is an hpur in each man's life ayjK>intcd
'* To make hi& happinefi, if ihcn he fcizc it/* &e.
JULIUS C/EBAlti 3^^
Which, taken at the flood, leads on tg fortune i
Omitted^ all the voyage of their life
Is bound in fhallows, and in miferies.
On fuch a full fea are we now afloat;
And we muft take the current when it ferves.
Or lofe our ventures.
Cjts. Then, with your will, ^o^n;
We'll along ourfclves, and meet them *t Philippi.
Bru. The deep of night is crept upon our talk.
And nature mufl: obey.necef&ty;
Which we will niggard with a Jittle refl:.
There is no more to fay ?
Cjis. Np more. . Qood night;
Early to-morrow will we rife, and hence.
Bru. Lucius, my gown. [Exif hv civs.'] Fare-
well, good Meflala ; —
Good night, Titinius : — Noble, noble Caflius,
Good night, and good repofe.
Cas. O my dear brother 1
This was an ill beginning of the night :
Never come fuch dJvifion 'tween pur fouls ! '
Let it not, Brutus.
Bru. Every thing is well.
Cas. Good night, my lord.
Bjtv. Good ni^, good brother.
A fimilar fcntimeat is found in Chapman's BuJ} d'Ambois,
" There is a deep nick in time's reiUcfs wheel,
'' For each man's good ; when which aick comes, it ftrikes.
** So no man rifeth by his real merit,
'* Bat when it cries eiki in his raifer's fpirit." Malons.
7 Nrver t9mifuch dtvifim U'wetn oMr/mtls /] So, in the mock play
ilk Hamlet:
" And nerer come mifchance between ui twain."
STIiVfNt.
36«
JULIUS CMSAR.
Tit, Mbs. Good nighty lord Brutus*
Bru* Farewell, every one.
[Exeunt Cas. Tit, and Mcs,
Re-enter Lucrus, wiih (be gown.
Give me the gown* Where is thy inftrument ?
Luc* Here in the tent.
Bru, What, thou fpcak*ft drowfily ?
Poor knave, I blame thee not ; thou art o'er-wat<
Call Claudius, and fome other of my men;
1*11 have them fleep on cufhions in my tent,
Luc. Varro, and Claudius I
Enter Varro and Claudius,
Fjr. Calls my lord?
Bru. I pray you, firs, He in my tent, and fleep;
It may be^ I fhall raife you by and by
On bufmefs to my brother Caflius.
f^jR* So pleafe you, we will ftand, and watch
your pleafure-
Bru* I will not have it fa: lie down, good firsj
It may be, I fhall otherwife bethink me.
Look, Lucius, here's the book I fought for fo;
I put it in the pocket of my gown,
[Servants he dawB*
Lac. I was fare, your lordfhip did not give it me
Bru. Bear with me, good boy, I am much for*
getfuL
Canfl: thou hold up thy heavy eyes a while^
And touch thy inftrument a ftrain or two?
Luc. Ay, my lord, an it pleafe you-
Bru. It does, my 1
JULIUS C^SAR. 369
I trouble thee too much, but thou art willing.
Luc. It is my duty, fir.
Bru. I fhould not urge thy duty pad thy might ;
I know, young bloods look for a time of reft.
Lvc. I have flept, my lord, already.
Bru. It is well done ; and thou (halt fleep again ;
I will not hold thee long : if I do live,
I will be good to thee. [Mujick, and a Jong.
This is a fleepy tune : — O murd'rous flumber !
Lay'ft thou thy leaden mace' upon my boy.
That plays thee mufick? — Gentle knave, good
night ;
I will not do thee fo much wrong to wake thee.
If thou doft nod, thou break'ft thy inftrument;
I'll take it from thee ; and, good boy, good night.
Let me fee, let me fee; •—Is not the leaf turned
down.
"* thj leaden macc — ] A mace is the ancient term for a
fceptre. So, \xi The Arraign/runt of Paris, 1584:
** look upon my ftatcly grace,
" Becaufe the pomp that 'longs to Juno / mace,' &c.
Again:
** ' becaufe he knew no more
*• Fair Venus' Cefton, than dame Juno's mace^^*
Again, in Marius and Sylla, i ^94 :
•* proud Tarquinius
** Rooted from Rome the fway of kingly mace.**
Again, in Spenfer's Faery ^ueen, B. I. c. x :
" Who mightily upheld that royal mace,** Ste evens.
Shakfpeare probably remembered Spcnfer in his Faerj S^ueen,
B. I. cant. iv. (I. 44 :
** When as Morpheus had with leaden mafe
•* Arretted all that courtly company." Holt White.
■ Let me fee, let me fee'i\ As thefe words are wholly unmetrical,
we may fuppofe our author meant to avail himfelf of the common
colloquial phrafe. — Let* s fee, let* s fee. Stsbvens.
Vol. XII. B b
370
JULIUS CiESAR.
Where I left reading? Here it is, I think*
[He Jits d&wn.
Enter the Ghoji of C^sar,
How ill this taper burns ! — Ha ! %vho comes here?
I thinkj it is the weaknefs of mine eyes.
That fhapes this monftrous apparition.
It comes upon me: — ^Art thou any thing?
Art thou fome god, fome angel, or fome devil^
That mak'ft my blood coldj and my hair to ftarej_
Speak to me, what thou art.
Ghost, Thy evil fpirit, Brutus.
Bru, Why com 'ft thou ?
Ghost* To tell thee, thou flialt fee me at Philippi,
Bru. Well;
Then I fball fee thee again?*
• Thn i fiall fee ihte ffgarrtf] Shakfpeait has OH iMl
occafion dcfcrtcd his original. It docs not appear from Pimta^
that the Ghoft of C^far app^red to Brattis> out *• a wondeHU
ftraunge and monftruous fhaj>e of a body,*' ITxis appmnon coold
not be at once ^^Jhadc of C^f^r^ and the t^il g^niitt of Sr^/mn
*' Bnitus boldly afked what he was, a gcS> or t man, ind
what caofc brought him thither. The fpirii anfwcrcd htm^ I aui
thy^ cuill fpirk, Brutus ; and thou Ihajt fee me by the citic of
Phillppcs, Brutus bccitig no othcrwifc afrayd, rep!yed againe
vnto it : well, then I fhall fee thee agarnc* The fjitrit preientlv
^anifhed away; and Bmtas called his men vnto him^ who tol(&
him that they heard no noj^fe, nor fawe any thin? at alL"
Sec the flory of CnJ^m Farmemfis in Vdtrimm^mmp lib. I*
c. viJ. Steeveks*
The words which Mr* Stecvcns has quoted, are from Plntaich*'!
life of Brum* Shakfpearc had alfo ccrtaioly itad Plutarch's ac-
count of thia Tifion in the life of dt/ur : ** AboTc all, the gha^
i thii appeared unto Brncus, fhowed plainly that the goddes weie
oflbuicd with the murdier of CWar, The vi^on was thus, Bnitui
being ready to pafs over hi? army from the citie of Abydos to ibe
other colli U iug direfUy againfl it^ Aept every night {%% his \
7'
JULIUS CAESAR.
37«
Ghost.
Ay, at
Philippi.
I
[Ghoft vamyhes^
Brv\ Why, I will fee thee at Philippi them —
Now I have taken heart, thou vanilheft :
111 fpirit, I would hold more talk with thee, —
Boy ! Lucius ! — Varro ! Claudius ! Sirs, awake ! —
Claudius !
Luc. The ftrings, my lord, are falfc.
Bru. He thinks^ he ftill is at his inftrument, —
Lucius^ awake.
Lvc, My lord 1
Brv. Didft thou dream, Lucius, that thou fo
cry'dft out?
Luc. My lord, I do not know that I did cry.
Bru. Yes, that thou didft: Didft thou fee any
thing ?
Luc* Nothing, my lord.
Brv. Sleep again, Lucius*— Sirrah, Claudius !
was«] in his tent j and being yet awake, tMnktngof his afTa ires »—
lie thougbt he heard a noyfe at his tent-dorc, and looking towar<Ji
ibe lighi &/thf lamfe ihai ^nxed 'verj dimme^ he faw a horrtble vjfion
of a plan, of a wonderful! grealncs and dreadful looke, which at
the firil made him marvebuflv afraid- Bur when he fawe that ic
diet him no hurt, bnt (loodc by his bcddc- fide, and fai A nothing,
at length he afked him what he was. The image aunfwered him,
I am thy LU angel, Brutus, and thou {halt fee me by the citie of
Fhillpp^. Then Bruios rcplycd agaync, and faid. Well, 1 ihall
fee thcc then, Therewithall the ipirit prcfcotl)r vantfhed frs^m
him*''
It is mani&ft from the words above printed in Italicks, that
ShjLkrpcate had this pafiagc in his thoughts as well as the oihcr-
K Malone«
K That lights gtf^ut iim^ or humed hht^ at the approach of fpeflres,
Hiras a bebef which our author might have found examples of ia
^luioll every book of his age that t reals of fuper natural appeariDCei*
Sec King Rkhurd Hi, Vol, X- p. 6@o, n. 6, Stiivik*,
B b 2
^
371 JULIUS CiESAR.
Fellow thou ! awake.
y^R. My lord.
Clju. My lord.
Bru. Why did you fo cry out, firs, in your flccp-
r^R. Clau. Did we, my lord?
Bru. Ay; Saw you any thing?
Var. No, my lord, I faw nothing.
Clau. Nor I, my lord.
Brv. Go, and commend me to my brother Caf-
fius;
Bid him fet on his powers betimes before.
And we will follow.
Var. Clau. It Ihall be done, rtiy lord*
[ExiwU.
ACTV. SCENEL
rbe Plains of VYiiYi^^i.
Enter Octavius, Antony, and their Army.
Oct. Now, Antony, our hopes are anfwered':
You faid, the enemy would not come down^
But keep the hills and upper regions ;
It proves not fo : their battles are at hand;
They mean to warn us * at Philippi here,
* warn us — ] To luarn is to fummon. So, in K, JJm:
" Who is it that hath ivam'd us to the walls ?"
Shakfpeare ufes the word yet more intelligibly in King Richard IlL
** And fent to nuam them to his royal prcfcncc"
Throughout the books of the Sutioners Company, the WQid b
JULIUS C^SAR. 373
Anfwcring before we do demand of them.
Ant. Tut, I am in their bofoms, and I know
Wherefore they do it : they could be content
To vifit other places ; and come down
With fearful bravery,^ thinking, by this face.
To fallen in our thoughts that they have courage ;
But 'tis not fo.
Enter a Meflenger.
Mes. Prepare you, generals :
The enemy comes on in gallant ihow ;
Their bloody fign of battle is hung out.
And fomething to be done immediately.
Asr. Odlavius, lead your battle foftly on.
Upon the left hand of the even field.
Ocr. Upon the right hand I, keep thou * the left.
Asr. Why do you crofs me in this exigent ?
Ocr. I do not crofs you ; but I will do fo.
I March.
Drum. EnterBKVTvs, Cassius, and their Army;
LuciLius, TiTiNius, Messala, and Others.
Bru* They (land, and would have parley.
always ufcd in this fcnfe. *' Rcceyvcd of Raufc Ncwbcry for his
fyne, that he came not to the hall when he was warned, according
to the orders of this houfe." Steevens.
' With fearful bravery ^ That is, iviih a gallant Jhotv of courage,
eanying tvitb it terror and difmay. Fearful is ufed here, as in
many other places, in dSizOLis^i^xii^-^-producing fear — intimidating.
Malone.
So, in Churchyard's Siege of Leeth^ ^SIS'
. •* They were zfeare unto the enmyes eye." Stievens.
^ keep thou — ] The tcnour of the conrcrfation evidently
xcqiiira OS to read— ^^//. Rition.
Bb3
374
JULIUS CiESAR,
Cas* Stand faft, Titinius: We muft out and
talk.
Oct, Mark Antony, fliall we give fign of battle?
Ant* No^ Csefar^ we will anfwcr on their charge.
Make forth, the generals would have fome words.
Oct, Stir not until the fignal,
Bru, Words before blows ; Is it fo, countrymen ?
Oct, Not that we love words better, as you do.
Bru. Good words are better than bad ftrokes,
Odavius,
Ant* In your bad ftrokes, Brutus, you give
good words ;
Witnefs the hole you made in Csefar's heart.
Crying, Long live ! bail^ C^/ar !
Cas. Antony,
The pofhire of your blows are yet unknown ; '
But for your words, they rob the Hybla bees.
And leave them honeylefs,
Ant. Not ftinglcfs too.
Bru. O, yes, and found lefs too i
For you have ftol'n their buzzing, Antony,
And, very wifely, threat before you fting,
Ah7, Villains, you did not fo, when your vHc
daggers
Hack'd one another in the fides of Caefar:
You fhow*d your teeth like apes, and fawn'd like
hounds,
^ The pi>fturt efyoMr h/an^s ate jet unkMOfmn ;] It (houM ht—it
jtt unkiiown. But the errar waj certainly Shakfpcare's,
MALOltff.
Rather, the miftakc of his tranfcribcr or printer; which ihCTN
fore ought, in my opinion^ to be correflcd. Had Shakfpeaic
l)een generally inaccurate on fitnihr occalionSft he might m&xt
juiUy have been fufpcded of inacctiracy in the prcfciit i nuance.
I
(
JULIUS C iE S A R.
375
And bow'd like bondmen, kifling Caefar's fecti
Whilft damned Cafca/ like a cur, behind,
Struck C^far on the neck, O flatterers !^
C^s. Flatterers ! — Now, Brutus, thank yourfelf:'
This tongue had not offended fo to-day.
If Cadius might have ruPd,
Oct* Come, come, the caufc: If arguing make
us fweat,
The proof of it will turn to redder drops.
Look ;
I draw a fword againft confpirators ;
When think you that the fword goes up again?—
Never, till Csefar's three and twenty wounds*
Be well avenged; or till another Caefar
Have added flaughter to the fword of traitors/
I
• Cajca,] Cafca ftruck Cifar on the neck, coining //if t
degcne rate ettr bcbmJ hrm . Johnson.
' ^^^O flatieftrt /] Old copy^ unroctrically, — O ^jk flatter*
ers! SxEKVEKs.
• Fiaturtfi i — No^t Bruius^ thank y&urfilf:^ It h natural to
fuppofc, from the defc^vc metre of this line, that our author
wrote ;
Flalierersi Now, Brutus, jmt «^ thank your fclf.
STEEViNS.
9 thrtt and twenty niimnii ] [Old copy — three and
thirtj\\ bull have venttired to reduce this number to f^rw and
fwtntj from the joint authorities of Appian^ Plutarch^ and SstmmMi :
and I am pcrfuaded^ the error was not from the poet but hifr
tranfcribers* Theobald-
B^umont and Fktchcr haVe fallen into a fimilar mi^ake, in
their No6/e GtmUmau :
** So C^far fc!!, when in the Caphol,
" They gave his body itm and ihirtj wotwda." RiTSoift
• ■ iUi afwthfr C^/er
Hif^'t Qddtd Jlmtghttr /a the famrd ^f fr&itors^J A fimilar idea
his alr^y occurred in Km^ jAn:
** Or add a royal number to the dead, —
*' With Daughter coupled to the name of kings-"
fi b 4.
1
376 JULIUS ^^SAR.
Bru^ Caefar, thou can'ft not die by traitors*
hands,
Unlefs thou bring*ft them with thcc.
Oct. So I hope ;
I was not born to die on Brutus* fword.
Bru. O, if thou wert the nobleft of thy ftrain,
Young man, thou could'ft not die more honourable.
Cas, a peevifti fchoolboy, worthlefs of fuch
honour,
Join'd with a malker and a reveller.
jisr. Old Caffius ftill !
Oct. Come, Antony ; away.—
Defiance, traitors, hurl we * in your teeth :
If you dare fight to-day, come to the field ; .
If not, when you have ftomachs.
[^Exeunt Octavius, Antony, aftd their Army.
Cas. Why now, blow, wind; fwell^ billow; and
fwim, bark !
The ftorm is up, and all is on the hazard.
Bru. Ho!
Lucilius ; hark, a word with you.
Luc. My lord.
[Brutus and Lucilius coiwerje apart.
Cas. Meflala,—
Mrs. What fays my general ?
• Defiance, traitors^ hurl -u/^ — ] Whence perhaps Miltoo, Ps-
tadife Lofty B. I. v. 669 :
" Hurling defiance toward the vault of Heaven."
Hurl is peculiarly expreifive. The challenger in iudicial com-
bats was faid to hurl down hi$ &^^% when he threw his elove doirii
as a pledge that he would make good his charge againft his ad«
vcrfary. So, in Kinz Richard II :
** And interchangeably hurl down my gage
" Upon this over-weening traitor's foot." Holt Whxtb.
JULIUS CiESAR,
377
Cds. MeflTala,^
This is my birth-day ; as this very day
Was Caffius born. Give me thy hand, Meflala:
Be thou my witncfsj that, againft my wilJ^
As Pompey was^ am I compeird to fet
Upon one battle all our liberties*
You know, that I held Epicurus ftrong.
And his opinion; now I change my mind.
And partly credit things that do prefage.
Coming from Sardis, on our former enfign*
I
I
I
^ Mrjhl^t Jtc] Almoft cver5r circumftance in this fpecch is
taken from Sir Thomas Nordics Tratilktion o{ Fimarch*
** But touching Cafiius, MeSaia rcportcth that he fupped by
himfelfc in his tent with a few of his mendeit ^^^ f^iat aJl fupper
tyme he looked very fad]y, and was full of thoughts* although It
was againflhis nature: and that after fupper he tookc him by the
haiitle, and holdii>g him faft (in token of kindnes as his manner
was) told him in Greeke, MelTala, I proteft vnto thee, and make
thcc my witnes, that 1 am compelled againft my mmiie and will
[as Pompey the Great wa<i) to ieopard the libenie of our con try,
to the hazard of a battel » And yet we muft he liuely, and of good
corage, con fide ring otir good fortune, whom we Hiould wrongc
too muche to millruft her, although we follow cuill counfeB.
MdTala writeih^ that CaiTius haui ng fpgken tliefe lall wordcs vnto
him, he bad him farewell, and willed htm to come to fupper to
lum the next night following, bicaufeit was his binh-day*"
iJTEEVENS*
* OTff fotrnttenfign ] Thus the old copy, and, 1 fyp-
poTc, rightly. Fatmtr h/orfmo/t Shakfpeare fometimes viks the
tomp& tariff inftead oi iht ^^fiirvf and fupcrlatire. See Kh^ Ltm\
A€l IV- fc< ill. Either w^ord has the fimc origin ; nor Jo l per-
ceive why former fhould be Icfs applicable to place than /imrM
Strevek5p
Farmer h right ; and the meaning — sur fore enfigft^ So^ in
Adlyngton*s Apultim^ '^9^' " Firft hee inftrufted me to fit at
the table vpon my taile, and howc I Ihould Icape and dauncc,
kolding up my firmer fcete/'
Again, in Harrifon's Defiripiim tf Britaine: «' It [i* e, brawn]
1$ made commonly of ih^fitc part of a tame bore fet uppe for the
ptirpofc by the fpace of an whole year or two. Afterwarde he is
killed, — and then of his/^rwr partei is onr brawne made,"
RlTSON,
378
JULIUS CiESAR.
Two mighty eagles fell ; and there they pcrch'd|
Gorging and feeding from ourfoldiers' handi;
Who to Philippi here conforted us :
This morning are they fled away, and gone ;
And, in their fteads, do ravens, crows, and kites.
Fly o'er our heads, and downward look on us.
As we were fickly prey ; * their ihadows feera
A canopy moll fatal, under which
Our army lies, ready to give up the ghoft.
Mes. Believe not fo.
CjiS. I but believe it partly j
For I am frefli of fpirit, and refolv'd
To meet all perils very conftantly,
Bru* Even fo, Lucilius.
Cas, Now, moft noble Brutus,
The gods to-day ftand friendly; that we may,
Lovers, in peace, lead on our days to age !
But, fince the affairs of men reft ftill uncertain^
Let's reafon with the worft that may befall.
If we do lofe this battle, then is this
The very laft time we fhall fpeak together:
What are you then determined to do ? ^
Bru* Even by the rule of that philofophy/
r
Tonce thought that for the fake of diflinftion the wotd ftioalJl
fpcU/orrwfr, DUt as h h derived from the Saxon pojima, ///?* I
have adhered to the common fpelllng, Maloke,
* ■ as 'ur nf^^trf fickly prey j] So, in Kmg Jchn :
" As doth a ra^^m 05 ^/ci-fairn bead, — /' STEETElt*
3 Thf 'Ufny kft Umt -we ftfiiH fptak Hgethfr:
Whm iirt jm thai dttermhtfd H J& ?] L C. 1 am rcfolved m
fuch a cafe to kill my fclf. What arc yoa determined of?
VVarbuhtok,
* of that phiUfophy,'] There is iin af^parcnt contradi^m
between the fcndments contained in this and the following fpeedi
which Shakfpeare has put into the mouth of Brutus. In iM^,
Brutus dec J ares his refolution to wait patiently for the detenniro*
I
JULIUS C^SA
379
I
I
I
Bjr which I did blame Cato for the death
Which he did give himfelf ; — I know not how.
tions of Providence ; and in the next* he intimates, that thou|h
he (hould fuivive the battle, he would naxr fubmit to be led in
chains to Rome* Thh fentence in Sir Thomas North's Trafrjlaihr^ ,
19 perplexed, and might be eafily naifunderftood. Shakfpeare, in
the fint fpeech, make^ that to be the prefent opinion of Bruciu,
which in Fliitnrch, is mentioned only as one he formerly entcr^
caincd^ though he now condemned it.
So, in Sif Thomas Noith r — '* There Callius began ne to fpeakc
fifftt andfayd: the gods graunt vsj O Brutus, that this day we
may winne the field, and euer after toliue all the reft of our Hfe
quietly, one with another. But fith the gods haue fo ordeyned it,
that the greateft Sc chiefeit things amongeft men are moil vncertayne,
and that if the hattell fall out othcrwjfe to dayeihen we wiihe or
looke for, we (hall hardely racete againe, what art thou then de-
term mod lo due? to fiy, or ^iycl Brutus aunfwered him, being
yet but a young man, and not oucr greatly experienced in the
m'orld : I truft (I know not how) a certaine rule of philofophic, by
the which I did greatly blame and reprouc Cato for killing of him
felfe, as being no lawfull nor godly aftc, touching the gods, nor
concerning men, valiant j not to giue place and reld to diuine
promdcnce, and not conftanily and paciently to take whatfoever
it pleafcth him to fend vs, but to drawe backc, and fiic: but being
nowe in the niiddeft of the daunger, 1 am of a contrarie mind. For
if it be not the will of God, that this battell fall out fortunate for
vs, \ will look no more for hope, neither fccke to make any new
fupply for war againe, but will rid me of this mifcral>le world,
and content me with my t\>rtunc. For, I gaue vp my life for my
contry in the ides of Marche, for the which I ihall live in another
inore glorious worlde. ' ' St h ^ v e n s.
I fee no ccmtradidion in the fentiments of Bnitust He would
not determine to kill himfelf merely for the lofs of w^ battle ; but
as be exprefTcs himfelf, |p. 38S*) would try his fortune in a fccond
£ght. Yet he would not fubmit to be a captive, BLACitSToNt,
I concur with Mr. Steevens, The i-^ords of the text by no means
juftify Sir W* Blackftone's folution. The quellion of Caflius relates
fold J to the event of /j&/> battle. M A lon e.
There is certainly an apparent contradi^icin between the fenti^
ments which Bnitus exprefrcs in this, and in his fubfeguenl fpcech ;
but there is no real mconfiftency, Brutus had laid it down to
himfelf as a principle, to abide every chance and extremity of
war ; but when Cadi us reminds him of the difgracc of being led
38o JULIUS CiESAR.
But I do find it coAvardly and vile.
For fear of what might fall, fo to prevent
The time of life : * — ^arming myfelf with patience/
To ftay the providence of |ome high powers.
That govern us below. '
Cjis. Then, if we lofe this battle,^
You are contented to be led in triumph
Thorough the ftreets of Rome ?
in triamph through the ftreets of Rome, he acknowledges that to
be a trial which he could not endure. Nothing is more natural
than this. We lay down a fyftem of condu^ for onrfelvei, but
occurrences may happen that will force us to depart from it.
M. Masov,
This apparent contradi^ion may be eafily reconciled. Bruta
is at firft inclined to wait patiently for better times ; bat is roufed
by the idea of being *' led in triumph," to which he will never
fubmit. The lofsof the battle would not alone have determined
him to kill himfelf, if he could have lived free. Ritson.
4 /o to prevent •
Thf time of life :'\ To pre*vent is here ufcd in a French faife —
to anticipate. By time is meant the full and complete time ; tht
period. Malone.
To prenienty I believe, has here its common fignification* Dr.
Johnfon, in his Dictionary, adduces this very inftance as an exam-
pie of it. St E EVENS.
* arming myfelf nuith patience i &c.] Dr. Warburton thinks,
that in this fpeech lomething is lofl ; but there needed only a paren-
thefis to clear it. The comlrudion is this : I am determined to
tB, according to that philofophy which dire^ed me to blame the
fuicide of Cato ; arming myfelf with patience, &c. John sow.
* I'heny five lofe this battle,] Caflius, in hb laft fpeech, having
faid — If we do lofe this hauler the fame two words might, in the
frefent inftance, be fairly underftood, as they derange the metre,
would therefore read only :
Caf. Then^ if *we lofe,
Tou are contented &c.
Thus, in King Lear :
" Kin? Lear hath loft^ he and his daughter ta*en :— .'*
L e* has loft tbe battle. Steevens.
JULIUS C^SAR. 381
Bru. No» Caflius^ no: think not^ thou noble
Roman»
That ever Brutus will go bound to Rome ;
He bears too great a mind. But this fame day
Muft end that work, the ides of March begun; ^
And whether we fhall meet again, I know not*
Therefore our everlafting farewell take : —
For ever, and for ever, ferewell, Caffius !
If we do meet again, why we fliall fmile;
If not, why then this parting was well made.
Cjis. For ever, and for ever, farewell, Brutus !
If we do meet again, we'll fmile indeed ;
If not, 'tis true, this parting was well made.
Bru. Why then, lead on. — O, that a man might
know
The end of this day*s bufinefs, ere it come !
But it fufficeth, that the day will end.
And then the end is known. — Come^ ho ! away !
SCENE II.
The fame, ^be field of battle.
Alarum. Enter Brutus and Messala.
Brv. Ride, ride, Meflala, ride, and give thefc
bills «
^ — the ides of March begun ;] Our author ought to have
written — began. For this error, I have no doubt, he is himfelf
mnfwerable. Ma lone.
See p. 374, n. 5. Steevens.
* gi've thefe bills — ] So, in the old tranflation of Plutarch :
•• In the meane tyme Brutus that led the right winge, fent little
billet to the collonels and captaines of private bandes, in which he
wrote die worde of the battell," &c. Stee v s ns.
38a
JULIUS CAESAR.
Unto the legions on the other fide : [Land alarum.
Let them fet on at once ; for I perceive
But cold demeanour in Odavius' u ing.
And fudden pufli gives them the overthrow.
Ride^ ride, Meflaias let them all come down.
SCENE IIL
The fame. Amiher pari of the field*
Alartim. Enier Cassius and Titinius.
Cjis. O, look, Titinius, look, the villains fly I
Myfelf have to mine own turn'd enemy :
This cnfign here of mine was turning back;
I flew the coward, and did take it from him-
7/T. O Caflius, Brutus gave the word too eariyi
Who, having fome advantage on Odlavius,
Took it too eagerly ; his foldiers fell to fpoil,
Whiift we by Antony are all enclosed,
£ff/frPlNDARIJS,
Pin. Fly further off, my lord, fly further off|
Mark Antony is in your tents, my lord 1
Fly therefore, noble Caflius, fly far off.
Cas, This hill is far enough.^ — Look, look, Titi-
nius I
» Tkh Mi is fitrenuMgh &c*] Thus, in the old tranllation of
Fiuiarch : " So, Caffius him fclR- was at lengih compelled to flic,
wiih a few about him, vnto a little hill, from wheocc they mi^t
eafdy tttc wh^t wm done in all the plaine : howbeit CiiiBus men
fcif Lwc coiKiJig^ for his fight was vcrie IW, fauing that be &w
(and yet with much a doe) how the caemies fpotlcd hu cioijn
JULIUS Ci^S A
383
Are thofe my tents, where I perceive the fire ?
Tir. They are* my lord.
Cas. Titinius, if thou lov'fl me.
Mount thou my horfc, and hide thy fpurs in him.
Till he have brought thee up to yonder troops.
And here again ; that I may reft aflur'd^
Whether yond* troops are friend or enemy*
TiT. 1 will be here again, even with a thought.*
[ExiL
Cjs. Go, Pindarus/ get higher on that hill j *
before l^is eyes. He fawe alfo a great troupe of horfonen, whom
Brutus fcnt to aide hinjj and thought that they were !us enemies
that followed htm: but yet he fent Titimus, otic of them that was
with htm, to goe and know what they were, fimtus' horfemen
fawe him commin^ a farre of, whotn when ihey knewe that he wai
one of Caffius' chiefeft friendcs, they ftiowted out for joy : and
they that were familiarly acquainted with him, lighted from their
ho r res, and went and imb raced him. The rdl compaffet! him in
roundc about a horfebacke, with fongs of vidorie and great ruihing
of their harnes, fo that they made all the Jield ring again e for joy^
But this marred alK For Callius thinking in deed tltat Ti tint us
was taken of the enemies, he then fpake thefc wordes : defiring too
much to Hue, I haue lined to fee one of my beft frendes taken, for
my fake, before my face. After that, he gotte into a tent where
no bodyc was, and tooke Pindarus with him, one of hts freed
bondmen, whom he referued ever for fuche a plnche, fmce the curfed
battell of the Parthians, where Craflus was ilaine, though he not-
withtlanding fcaped from that ouerthrow ; but then carting his
cloke oner his head, Sc holding out his bare neck vnto Pyndarus,
he gaue him his head to be ftriken oC So the head was found
fcuercd from the bodie : but after that time Pyndarus was neucr
feene more/* Steevsns-
* tivfH naith a ihssfghi^} The fame cxprcffion occurs again
in Anienj and Cirop/^tra:
" That, which is now a horfcp mw« m^ith a iheught
'* The rack diflimns,— /' STttvirfs.
* Ga, Pindarus,'] Tliis dialogue between Caffius and Pindams^
h beautifully imitated by Beaumont and Fletcher in their tra*
gcdy q£ Bendu^a, A^ IIL fc* v. Steevens*
4 ^^^gii higher m ikat kil!i\ Our author perhaps wrote on
3R4 JULIUS C^SAR.
My fight was ever thick ; regard Titinius,
And tell me what thou not'ft about the field.—
[Exil Pindanis.
This day I breathed firfl : time is come roundj'
And^ where I did begin^ there ihall I end ;
My life is run his compafs. — Sirrahj what newiH
Fin. [aiove.2 O my lord ! '
C^s. What news ?
Pin. Titinius is
Enclofed round about with horfemeni that
Make to him on the fpur ; — yet he fpurs on.—
Now they are almoft on him ; now, Titinius !— * .
Now fome 'light: — O, he 'lights too: — he's Wcat
—and, hark ! [SIhM.
They fhout for joy.
Cjs. Come down, behold no more.-r-
O, coward that I am, to live fo long.
To fee my bed friend ta'en before my face !
this hill ; for Caflius is novir on a hill. Bat there is no need of
change. He means a hillock fomewhat higher than that on which
he now is.
The editor of the fecond folio arbitrarily reads — thither (ot b^ker^
and all the fubfcquent editors adopted his alteration. Mai.omb.
Mr. Malone has fufficiently juftiiied the reading in the text; and
yet the change ofiered by the lecond folio is not undefenfible.
Stsevbvi.
3 time is come round, '\ So, in King Lear, the Baftard, dying
fays:
'* The ivhfel b come full circle." Stbevbns.
4 Sirrah, ivhatneius?] Sirrah, as appears from many of
our old plays, was the ufual addrefs in fpcaking to iervants, and
children. Mr. Pope, not ad\ crting to this, reads — N^w, what
news? See Vol. VIJ. p. 518, n. 9. Malone.
5 O f/tv lord! iSjc] Perhaps this paffagc, defigned to form a
fingle verfc, originally Hood thus :
Pin. O f/tj good hrdf
Caf. IVhat ne^jus f
Pin. TitiKtsis is-^.
Stelve.ns
JULIUS CiESAR.
385
I
I
I
I
Enter Pindar us.
Come hither, firrah :
In Fkrthta did I take thee prifoner ;
And then I fworc thte, faving of thy life.
That what foe ver I did bid thee do.
Thou fhould'ft attempt it. Come now> keep thine
oath !
Now be a freeman; and, with this good fword.
That ran through Caefar's bowels, fearch this bo*
fom.
Stand not to anfwer : Here, take thou the hilts ;
And, when m)^ face is covered, as 'tis now.
Guide thou the fw^ord- — Csefar, thou art reveng'd.
Even with the fw ord that killM thee. [Dies,
Pin. So, I am free 5 yet would not fo have been,
Durft I have done my will, O Caffius 1
Far from this country Pindarus fhall run.
Where never Roman fhall take note of him, [Exii.
Reenter Titinii/s, with Messala.
Mes* It is but change, Titinius ; for Oc^vius
Is overthrown by noble Brutus* power.
As Caffius' legions are by Antony,
T/r. Thefe tidings will well comfort Caffius*
Mb$. Where did you leave hjm?
T/T, All difconfolate^
With Pindarus his bondman, on this hilL
Mes. Is not that he, that lies upon the ground ?
Tir* He lies not like the living, O my heart !
Mes. Is not that he?
Tir, No, this was he, Meflala,
Vqu Xlt C c
386 JULIUS C^SAR.
But Caflius is no more. — O fetting fun !
As in thy red rays thou doft fink to night,
So in his red blood Caflius* day is fct ;
The fun of Rome is fet ! Our day is gone ;
Cloudsj dews^ and dangers come ; our deeds aie
done !
Miftruft of my fuccefs hath done this deed.
Mbs. Miftruft of good fuccefs hath done this
deed.
O hateful error, melancholy's child ! .
Why doft thou (how to the apt thoughts of men
The things that are not ? O error, KK)n conceiv'd.
Thou never com'ft unto a happy birth.
But kitl'ft the mother that engendered thee.
Tit. What, Pindarus ! Where art thou, Pinda-
rus?
Mes. Seek him, Titinius ; whilft I go to meet
The noble Brutus, thrufting this report
Into his ears : I may fay, thrufting it ;
For piercing fteel, and darts envenomed.
Shall be as welcome to the ears of Brutus,
As tidings of this fight.
Tit. Hie you, Meffala,
And I will feek for Pindarus the while.
[Exit M£SSALA«
Why didft thou fend me forth, brave Caflius ?
Did I not meet thy friends ? and did not they
Put on my brows this wreath of vidlory.
And bid me give 't thee ? Didft thou not hcarxthcir
fliouts ?
Alas, thou haft mifconftrued every thing.
But hold thee, take this garland on thy brow ;
Thy Brutus bid me give it thee, and I
Will do his bidding. — Brutus, come apace.
And fee how I regarded Caius Caflius, —
I
JULIUS C^SAR. 387
By your leave, gods : — This is a Roman*s part :
Come^ Caffius' fword^ and find Titinius' heart-
{dies.
Alarum. Re-enter Messala, with Brutus, young
Cato, Strato, Volumnius, and Lucilius.
Bbu. Where, where^ Meflala, doth his body lie?
Mes, Lo, yonder ; and Titinius mourning it.
Bru, Titinius* face is upward.
Cato* He is flain.
BkUy O Julius Ca?far, thou art mighty yet !
Thy fpirit walks abroad, and turns our fwords
In our own proper entrails,^ {Ijym alarums^
Cato. Brave Titinius !
Look^ whe'r he have not crown'd dead CafRus !
BrU' Are yet two Romans living fuch as thefe?—
The laft of all the Romans,^ fare thee well !
p
W 13 n
* - nnd turtts mtf'WQrds
Im 9Mr mva^rvper fftitailu] So^ Zucaff, lib. I :
" populumqae potentcm
•* In Cub. viftrici comerfom vifcera dextra/' Steiveis,
? Thf hft of aii th^ RomfjmA From tlic oH tranflation of Plu-
tarch : ^' So, when be [Brutus] was come thither, after he had
t^mcntod the death of CafUui, calling him the lafl &f all ih Ro-
mmm^ ^tftg imp^fffihle that Rwie Jhuld f^ff hnede ag^We fi w^^/r ^nd
m^iani a man m he, he cauled his bodic to be buried/' kc.
Mr* Rowe and all the fubfequcnt editors read^ as we fhould
now write, — Thou laft^ &c. But this wa* not the phrafeology of
Shakfpcate's age* See Vol* X. p. 390, n, %. See alfo the Letter
of Polthumus to Imogen, in Cjmhettfte^ Att IIL fc. 11 : ** as
you, O iht dcareft of creatiiret, would uot even renew luc with
thine eyes." Again, in Kin£ Lear :
'* T'j^^ jewehof our mhcr, with wafli*d eyes
** Cordelia leaves you/'
not jf je^'els, — as we now (hou Id write- M a l o n e,
1 have notdifplaced Mr, Malone's rcdoratioa from ihc old copy,
C C 2
3"
JULIUS CiESAR,
It is impofTible, rhat ever Rome
Should breed thy fellow. — Friends, I owe more
tears
To this dead man, than you fliall fee me pay. —
I fhall find time^ CaiTIus, I Ihatl find time, —
Come, therefore, and to ThalTos ' fend his body;
His funerals (hall not be in our camp,
Lefl: it difcomfort us.-^Lucilius, come; —
And come, young Cato j let us to the field. —
becaure it is of no great importance ta our author's meaniag;
though lam pcrfeclly convinced, that in the ialtariccs from Cjm-
hfima and King Lear, the h merely the crfor of a compofitor who
mifunderftood the abhreviations employed lo exprcfs tb&u andjrr b
the original MSS, which might not nave been remarkable for calli-
graphy- Both thcfe abbreviations very nearly rcfcmblc the one
commonly ufcd for thr ; a circumftance which has proved the fit-
quent fource of fimilar corruption. A miflake of the fame oolout
appears to have happened in p, 300, where, (fee note 4*) i^^ had
fcecn given inilead of iht. See likcwife the volume above referred
to by Mr, Malone, where tkr h again printed (and, as I oonodrc,
through the fame blunder) in flea d q( th&u.
The palfagc cited from PUtarch can have no weight on (be pi^
fcnt occafion. The biographer h only rtiati^g what Bratus W
/aid. In the text, Bmrut Is the /peMr^ and is aiiwiffiKg hmjdf^
pmprm pet fins ^ to CafllUS*
Befuies ; why h not *' Tkm lail'* kc* the language of Sbik*
fpcatc ? Have we noe in King Richard III :
p *' Th&H flander of thy moiher'i hea\y womb f
'* Thu loathed ifluc &c,
" ThQ» rag of honour, tUu detclled— ^ ?"
ind again, in Troihi mdCreffiia :
** Thu great and wife'* &c.
Again* inffamut.*
'* know ihou noMe youth I"
And fifty more indancea to the lame purpofc m^t be tnf!
duccd-
Objcilom eft Hiftorico (Cumutia Corda* Tacit. Ann- I, ir* 14.I
quod Bnitum Ga0iumquc hUimys Raman^rum dixiiTet. Smth T^n
Lib. Ill, c. 6j, St sevens.
7 aft J /sThniTos — ] Old Copy—Thafm.
Mn Theobald. Maloni,
. Comaed by
It L ThnJfQi in Sir Thomas North *s Trumfl^im, STSBTKjfi.
JULIUS CiESAR. 389
Labeo, and Flavius,® fet our battles on : —
'Tis three o'clock ; and, Romans, yet ere night
We (hall try fortune in a fecond fight. [Exeunt,
SCENE IV.
Another Part of the Field.
Alarum. Enter fight ingy foldiers of both armies ; then
Brutus, C^to, Lucilius, and Others.
Bru. Yet, countrymen, O, yet hold up your
heads !
CAro. What baftard doth not? Who will go
with me ?
I Will proclaim my name about the field : —
I am the fon of Marcus Cato, ho !
A foe to tyrants, and my country's friend ;
I am the fon of Marcus Cato,^ ho !
[charges the enemy.
Bru. And I am Brutus, Marcus Brutus, I ;
Brutus, my country's friend ; know me for Brutus.
[Exit, charging the enemy. Cato is overpowered^.
and falls.
Luc. O young and noble Cato, art thou down J
Why, now thou dieft as bravely as Titinius ;
And may'ft be honoured being Cato's fon.*
• Laleo and Flavius,] Old Copy — Flavio. Correded by the
editor of the fecond folio. M a lo n b.
9 I am the Jon of Marcus Cato ^ So, in the old ' tranflation of
flutarch : ** There was the fonne of Mar cm Cato flaine valiantly
fighting, &c. telling aloud his name and his father s name^' &c,
' Steevens.
» ieing Cato' s fon,] i. c. worthy of him* Warburton.
C c 3
390 JULIUS CiESAR.
I. Sold. Yield, or thou dieft.
Luc. Only I yield to die:
There is fo much, that thou wilt kill me ftmight ; '
{pff'^ng money.
Kill Brutus, and be honoured in his death.
1. Sold. We muft not. — ^A noble prifbner!
2. Sold. Room, ho! Tell Antony, Brutus is
ta'en.
I. Sold. TU tell the news.*— Here comes the
general :—
Enter Antony.
Brutus is ta*en, Brutus is ta'cn, my lord«
Ai^r. Where is he ?
Lvc. Safe, Antony; ' Brutus is fafe enough:
3 Luc. Only 1 yield to die :
There is fo much^ that thou nvilt kill me ftraight {\ Dr. Wir-
burton has been much inclined to find lacunae^ or paflages broken
by omiflion, throughout this play. I think he has been alw^
miftaken. The foTdicr here lays, Yields or thw di^. Lnciiios
replies, I yield only on this condition, that I may die ; bere u lb
much gold as thou feeft in my hand, which I offer thee as a xcwaid
for fpeedy death. What now is there wanting ? Joh irsoir.
^ ril tell the nenjos.'\ The old copy reads : 77/ tell thee ««».—
JOHMIOV.
Corrcdkd by Mr. Theobald. M a l o n b.
' Safe^ Antony \\ So, in the old tranflation of Flmtarth: "In
the mean time Lucilius was brought to him, who ftowtiy widi a
bold countenaunce fayd, Antonius, I dare afliire thee, that no
encmie hath taken, nor (hall take Marcus firutus aliue: and I
befeech God keepe him from that fortune. For wheiefoeaer he
be found, aliue or dead, he will be founde like himfelfe. And
now for my felfe, I am come vnto thee, hauing deoeiaed theic men
ofarmes here, bearing them downe that I was Brutus: and doe
not refufe to fufier any torment thou wilt put me to. Lodfini
wordes made them all amazed that heard him. Antonius on tbe
other fide, looking vpon all them that had brought Um, layd Tnto
JULIUS CiESAR. 391
I dare aflure thee, that no enemy
Shall ever take alive the noble Brutus :
The gods defend him from fo great a fhame !
When you do find him, or alive, or dead>
He will be found like Brutus, like himfelf.
Asr. This is not Brutus, friend; but, I afllirc
you,
A prize no lefs in worth : keep this man fafe.
Give him all kindnefs: I had rather have
Such men my friends, than enemies. Go on.
And fee whe'r Brutus be alive, or dead-:
And bring us word, unto Odlavius' tent.
How every thing is chanc'd. ^Exeunf.
SCENE V.
Another part of the field.
Enter Brutus, Dardanius, Clitus, Strato, and
VOLUMNIUS.
Bru. Come, poor remains of friends, reft on this
rock,
Clu Statilius fhow'd the torch-light ; ^ but, my
lord.
them : my companions, I thinke ye are forie you have failed of
your purpofc, & that you thinke this man hath done great wrong :
but I doc affure you, you have taken a better bootie, then that
you followed. For, inflcad of an enemie^ you have brought me a-
friend/' &c. Steevens.
* Statilius Jh(yw* d the torch-light \ &c.] So,' in the old tranflation
of Plutarch: ** Furthermore, Brutus thought that there was no
£reat number of men ilaine in battel!, and to know the trueth of
u, thexe was one called Statilius, that promifed to goe through his
C c 4
.V^^'A
^39^
JULIUS CiESAR.
He came not back ; he is or taVn, or flatn,
Bru- Sit thee down^ Clitus : Slaying is the word ;
It is a dee^ in falhion. Hark thee^ Clitus. —
Cu. What^ I, my lord? No, not for all the
world*
Brv, Peace then, no words.
Clu
I'll
rather kill myfelf.
Bru. Hark thee» Dardanius ! [wbi/pen bim.
enemies (for cither wife It was inapoffible to goe fee their campej lad
from thence if all were well, that he wouldc lift vp a iGrti-light in
the ayer, and then returnc agatne with (peed to him- The iorth*-
ii^ht was lift vp as he had proraifcd, for Statilius wmt thtiher*
Isjowc Brutus feeing Statilius taric bng after that, and [hat he caioe
not again J he fay'd : if Statilius be aliuc, he will come agaiiie«
But his euil fortune was fuche, that as he came backc, he lighced
in his enemies hands, and was llaine. Now^ the night EdQ£
far re fpcnt, Brutus as lie latc^ bowed towards Clkus one of his
men, aiid told him fomcwhat in his care; the other aunfu^red
him not^ but fell a weeping. Thereupon he proued IXrdinai,
and fayd fomewhal alfo to him: at length he came to Volumnius
^him fclfci and fpeaking to him in Grxkc, prayed him for the ftudics
fake which brought them acquainied togeiher^ that he wouJdc
heipe him to put his hande to his fword, to thru ft it in him to
kill him^ Volumnius denied his requeft, and fo did miiiy othen :
and amongeR the reft^ one of them fayd, there was no tarr>ing
for them there, but that they muft needes fiie- Then Btaru^ nfeig
vp, we muft flie in decde, fayd he, but it muft be with our har^di,
jiot with our fecte. Then taking euery man by the hand, he fajd
thefc words vnto them with a chearfull countenance. It rejqyceEii
jny hart that not one of my frends hath failed mc at my neede, and
J do not complain e of my fortune, but only for my comrics fake :
/or, as for me, 1 thinke my felfe happier than they that have oner-
come, conftdering that I leaue a perpetual! fame of our corage and
manhoode, the w-hich our enemies the conquerors fhall neuer atuine
vnto by force nor money, neither can let their pofteride to fay,
that they bcbg naughtie and unjuft men, haue jfalne good mm^
to vfurpe tyrannical power not pertaining to them. Hautng fkfA
fo, he prayed cuer)^ man to fliift for them felucs, and then he woii
a litlc afide/ * &c* S T 1 E v e N s.
I
I
I
I
Djk. I do fuch a deed ? ^
Cu\ O, Dardanius I
Dar. O, Clitus!
Cti. What ill requeft did Brutus make to thee?
Dar, To kill him, Clitus : Look, he meditates,
Ci/, Now is that noble vcflel full of griefs
That it runs over even at his eyes.
Bru* Come hither, good Volumnius; lift a word*
FoL. What fays my lord ?
Bru* Why, this, Volumnius:
Thcghoft of Caefar hath appeared to me
Two Icveral times by night: ar Sardis, once;
And, this laft night, here in Philippi' fields.
1 know, my hour is come.
Vol. Not fo, my lord,
Bru* Nay, I am fure it is, Volumnius.
Thou fee*ft the world, Volumnius, how it goes;
Our enemies have beat us to the pit : ^
It is more worthy, to leap in ourfelves,
Than tarry till they pulh us. Good Volumnius,
Thou know'ft, that we two went to fchool together;
Even for that our love of old, I pray thee.
Hold thou my fword-hilts," whilft I run on it.
7 / d^/uc^ a tited?^ Old copy — Shaii I do &c* Steevens.
* mj fword-htlts,] So in the old copy, and righily. So
before^ P' 3^5 ■
'* with this good /word,
** That rati through C^far's bowels, fearch thisborom*
** Statxd not to anTuer ; here, take thou the Mis/^
n, in The Mirror fir Mtfpryiratef, 1587 :
•* ~~ — a naked fwora he had»
" That to the M/i was all with blood imbrned/'
Mr* Rowe and the other modern editors read, agreeably to the
language of the p rcfcn t time » — my /xwrd *s Mi, Ma t q n e .
Thus alfo in Kiff^ Henrj F:
394
JULIUS C^SAR.
Fbt* That's not an office for a friend, my lord,
[Jlanm ftiU.
Clu Fly, fly, my lord ; there is no tarrying here.
Bb.v* Farewell to you i — and you ; — ^and you^Vo-
lumnius. —
Strato, thou haft been all this Avhile afleep i
Farewell to thee too, Srrato/ — Countrymen,
My heart doth joy, that yet^ in all my life,
I found no man, but he was true to me*
I fhall have glory by this loiing day.
More than Odavius, and Mark Antony,
By this vileconqueft ftiall attain unto.
So, fare you well at oncej for Brutus' tongue
Hath almoft ended his life's hiftory;
Night hangs upon mine eyes ; my bones would reft^
That have but labour d to attain this hour,
[Aiarum, Cry tviibin i Fly, fly, fly,
Cli. Fly, my lord, fly.
£ru. Hence j I will follow thee.*
l^Exeuni CtiTus, Dardanius, auJ Volumnius,
I pr'ythee, Strato, ftay thou by thy lord:
Thou art a fellow of a good refpedl ;
Thy life hath had feme fmatch of honour in it;
Hold then my fword, and turn away thy iace.
While I do run upon it. Wilt thou, Strato?
" And hides a fword from Mt^ unta the point" &c*
Falftaff alfo. In JChig Hemry IK P, I. fays, '« Seven, by theft
hiitt I lama v i Jla i n el fe, *' S t E e v e k s .
* FatfWfli t9 ihfe i»&, S/rai9.} Thus the modem editions: I
thinkj rightly* The old fuHo read*. ;
Fareniffli /fi fhe^ > to S Ira to , e$$mrrymfft* JoHKiosc.
The corre^on was made by Mr. Theobald. M.ilo»e.
5 Hence I Ifwill/o/k^w thee,] Thte^ which is wanting in thciU
copy, was fapplicd, for the fake of meirc, by Sir Thomas Haimier,
ST££Vi«l»
JULfUS C^SAR, 39^
Stra. Give me your hand firft : Fare you well,
my lord.
Bru. Farewell, good Strato. — Caefar, now be ftill •
I kiird not thee with half fo good a will.
[He runs on bis /word, and dieSm
Alarum. Retreat. Enter Octavius, Antony,
Messala, Lucilius, and their Army.
Oct. What man is that ?
Mes. My mafter's man, — Strato, where is thy
mafter ?
Strj. Free from the bondage you are in, Mef-
fala;
The conquerors can but make a fire of him ;
For Brutus only overcame himfelf.
And no man elfe hath honour by his death.
Luc. So Brutus fhould be found. — I thank thee,
Brutus,
That thou haft proved Lucilius* faying true.*
Oct. All that ferv'd Brutus, I will entertain
them.*
Fellow, wilt thou beftow thy time with me ?
SrRj. Ay, if Meflala will prefer me to you.'
» That tbou haft proved Luctlius* faying trui.l Seep. 301.
OTBEVENS.
• entertain them^^ i. e, receive them into my fervice. So,
in King Lear : •« You, fir, I entertain for ene of my hundred."
Steevens.
* ^J» if Meffala nvill prefer me to you J] To prefer feems to have
been the eftablilhed phrafe for recommending a fervant. So, in
yjSr Merchant of Venice^ Ad II. fc. ii :
** Shyiock thy mafter, fpolcc with me this day,
«* And hath preferred thee ;" Rb e d.
39^
JULIUS CiESARt
/
Oct. Do fo, Mcflala,*
Mes. How died my mafter, Strato? ''j
Strj, I held the fword, and he did run on it.
Mes. Odlavius, then take himto follow ihce.
That did the lateft fervice to nay maften
Ant* This was the nobleft Roman of them all:
All the confpirators, fave only he/
Did that they did in envy of great Cseftr;
He, only, in a general honeft thought.
And common good to all, made one of them.
His life was gentle; and the elements
So mix'd in him, that Nature might ftand up.
And fay to all the worlds This was a manf^
* Do/}, Mejkla*] Old copy, ticglcfting the mctrfr^-Do fo, pisd
yitfftda, Stievins,
a — ^/a%/t c/t/y j^, C!f^.] So, in the old tranHaEion of PlMtard:
" For it was fayd that An torn us fpakc h openly diuen tymcs^ t!ue
he ihgught, that of all ihem that had flayne C^far, there was oa«
but Brut as only that wu motied to do it, as thinking the a^
comineiidable of it fclfe: but thac all the other coofpiraton did
confpire his death, for fomc priuate malice or cnuy, that they
(itherwifc did beare vnto him/' St e e v e n s.
^ i^t ehmentt
S& mix^d in him^ that Natitre might ^aMJ «/,
Anifny i9 ail tht *imrldy Thri 'wm a mmf^ So, in 1%^ Mar^
Wmn^ by Drayton, Canto 111 :
** He was a man (then boldly dare to fay)
" In whoje rich foul the virtues well did fail;
•* /h nvhom /q mix'd th ckments aH lay^
'* That none to one could fov^reienty impure |
" A* all did govern, fo dSd all obey :
'• He of a temper vi/as fo abfolnte,
** As that itfeem'd, when ffaiure him began,
•* She meant to fhow «// thai might he in mmit.**
11 lis poem was publiftied in the year i ^98. The play of 64|t
ayihor did not appear before 1623- Stiiviki.
Dtayton originally publiihed hi* poem on ihe fubjc£t of Tk
Banottt' IParf^ under the title of MoRTiMERtADOB^ tht imnmiM^
HviU ot'tfrrw ff/ EJ-LVffrd ih* Sicead and ikf Barr§m ^ PltlUed by
JULIUS CiESA
397
I
Oct, According to his virtue let us ufe him»
With all refpecl:^ and rites of burial.
Within my tent his bones to-night fhall lie,
Moft like a foldier^ order'd honourably, —
So, call the field to reft : and let's away,
To part the glories of this happy day.^ lExeunL
J, R* for Humphry Lowncs, and are to be folde at his ihop at the
weft cod of Paules Church, It is in fcvea-liiie ftanzas, and was,
I believe, publifhed before 1 5^98* The quarto copy before nac
Has 00 date. But he aficrwarcU new-mwiclkd the piece entirely,
and threw it into ftanzas of eight lines, making fomeretrenchmcntt
and many additions and alterations throughout. An edition of his
poems was publiOicd in 8vo in 1601 1 but it did not contdn ne
Barowi* iVars in any form. They firft appeared with that name in
the edition of 1 60H, in the preface to which he fpeaks of the chang«
of hif title, and of his having new- model led his poem. There,
the Ibmza quoted by Mr, Stccrens appears thus :
** Such one he was, (of him we boldly fay,) •
K ** In whofc rich fotile all fovcraigne powrcs did fute,
^^^^ " In tvhsm in ptac^ the eUmmti ail Igy
^^^K ** $9 mixtt as none could foveraigntie impute ;
^^^r ** As all did govern, yet all did obey 9
^^H " His lively temper was fo abfolutc,
^^K •* That 't fecm'd, when heai^^en his mMl firjl began,
■ '* /ff him ii Jhtn^^d ptrfeBi^n in a mufiJ"*
" III the fame form i& iliis ftanxa exhibited in an edition of Drayton'i
pkces, printed in 8vo, i6jq, and in that of 1613. The line*
qiiocedby Mr, Stecveni arc from the edition in folio printed in
1619, after Shakfpcare's death. In the original poem, entitled
M&riimffisd&i^ thcTc b no irace of this ftanza ; fo that 1 am inclined
to think that Drayton was the copyill, as his verfcs originally
flood. In the altered ftanxa he certainly was. He probaUy had
feen this pUy when it wat^ firfl exhibited, and perhaps between
Bi6j3 and 16 19 had perufed the Mf. M alone,
* Of thift tragedy many particular paflages deferve regard, and
the contcnnon and recwicilement of Bruttia and Caflius is univcr-
fally celebrated ; bur I have never been ftrongly agitated in pc ruling
ii, and think it fomewhac cold atid unaffcding, compared with
fomt other of Shakfpcarc 'splay 5; \m adherence to the real ftory,
and to Roman mauiiers, feems to have impeded ihe natural vigour
of his genius, Johxsoi^*
GiMon hai juRly obfcrved^ that this tragedy ought to have be«o
39*
JULIUS CJESA
called Marcus Bruiufu Cafar being a very inconsiderable perfboige
in the fccne, and bcbg kilkd iia ihc third aiL Malouc,
*^* The fobflancc of Dr. Warburton's long and erroneous eoo*
ment on a pafTage in the fccond ad of this play, ** The geniai uni
the moftal inftrumcnts/' &c, (fee p* $75, n^ %,) 1% concaliied in i
letter written hy him in the year t 726-7, of which the firft noiiee
wm gh'cn to the ptiblick in the following note on Dr, Akcfifidc's
Ode ts Mf\ Edwardi, whkh has^ I know not why, been omicted
in the late editions of that poet's works :
" During Mr. Pope*a war with Theobald, Concancsk^ and tha
Tcfl; of their tribe, Mr.. Waxburton» the prcfent lard biJliop of
Gloucefter, did with great zcaJ cultivate their friendfhip ; having
been introduced, forfooch, at the meetings of that refpeclabte
confederacy : a favour which he afterwards fpoke of in vctj high
terms of complacency and thank fulnefa* At the fame time, m m
intercourfe widi them he treated Mr* Pope in a moft contempmoui
manner, and as a writer without genius Of the truth 01 ihcfe
afTerdons his JorJfhip can have no doubt, if he recoUeds his owa
corrcfpondence with Concanen ; a part of which 11 ftill in hebg, |
and will probably be rtmembcred as long as any of thh prdxscV
writings/*
If the letter here alluded to, conuined any thing that might if-
fed the moral character of the writer^ tendemefs for the dead wodi
forbid its publication. But that not being the cafe» and the Icajnoi
prelate being now beyond the reach of criticifm, there is no rcafon
why this literary curiofity fhould be longer witbhdd froca the
publick :
" — Duncan is in his grave ;
" After life s litiul fever he fleeps well ;
** Treafon has done hiij worft : nor ileel, nor poiforii
** Malice domeftick, foreign levy, nothing
'* Can touch him farther/'
Lviter fwm Mr* ^* Wai^hurim t& Mr* Af. CoaiamtM*
" Dear Sir,
" having had no more regard for thofe papers which I fpoJ&e of
gnd promis'd to Mr, Theobald, than juft what they deferred I m
vain fought for them thro' a number of loofc papers ihai had ike
fame kind of abortive binh. I ufcd to make it one good mn ef
my amufcmcnt in reading the Englifh poets, thofe of them 1 tncM
'whofe vein flows reguhvrly and conllantly, as well as dearly, m
trace them to their fourccs; and ohferve wliai oar, as well as wlut
iljme and gravel they brought down with them, Drydcn I obferre
borrows for want of lea fu re, and Pope for want of genius; Milton '
out of pride, and Addifon out of modcfty. And now I Ipe&k of
this latter, that you and Mr* Theobald may fee of what kind thefc
idle collefiian^ are^ and like wife to give you my notion of i|^t
7
JULIUS CMSAR.
399
we may' ikfely pronounce in imitation, for it is not I prefume the
fame train of idcaf^ that follow in the fame dcfcription of an ancient
And a mo<lcm, where naiarc when attended t<j» always fupplys the
fiitnc ftor^, which will autorife as to pronounce the latter an imi*
tation, for the moft judicious of all jxjcts* Terence, has obferved
of hii own fcience Nfki/ ift diBum^ qmd mn ft diSum prim : For
thefe reafons I fay I give myfelic the pkafure of fetting down foroc
imitatiofts I obferved in the Caio of Addifon.
Addijm^ A day, an hour of virtuous liberty
Is worth a whole eternity in bondage^ AB 3* Sc^ i*
^nUy^ Quod fi immortalkas confequcretur praefenm pcncult
fugam, tanien eo magis ea fugienda efle f idcteiur, quo
d i u t u m i or circt fe rv i t u &• PhUipp, Or. i o*
Jddifmt* Bid him ditband his legions ^ U
~ Reft ore the commonwealth to liberty
Submit his ad ions to the poblic ccnfure.
And iland the judgement of a Roman fenate.
Bid him do this and Cato is his friend,
Tk/fy* Paccm vuh I arma deponar, rogct, deprccetnr. Nemineni
cquiorem repcriet quam me. I'hiirpp^ 5^*
Addijm* But what is life ?
*Tis not to ila!k about and dtaw frefti air
From time to ume
'Tis to be free. WTien Bberty is gone.
Life grows infipid and has loft iia relifh* ^ Sc^ 5,
I'mllj* Non enim in fpiritu vita eft ; fed ca nulla elt omnino
fervienti. Philippe io»
Addijm* Rcniember O my friends the laws the rights
The gen*rous plan iif power dcliver'd down
From age to age by your renowned forefathers,
O never let it perifh in your hands. AB 5, Se, f,
Ttii/j* Hanc [libcrtatem fcilt] rtftinetc^ quaefo, Quintes,
qnam vobis, tanquam heieditatem, majores nollri icli^
que runt, Philippe 4*
Addijm* The miftrefs of the world, the feat of empire.
The nurfe of Heros the Delight of Gods,
yW^» Roma domus virtutis, impeni digniutis* domiciliuTQ
gloriic, lux orbis terra rum, de maiurr^
** The hrfl half of the c Sc* 3 A^, is nothing but a tranfcnpc
ironi the 9 book of lucao DCtH'cen ihc 300 and the 700 line. Yon
Ice by thb f^iccimen the exaftnefs of Mr* Addjfon^s judgement who
tv anting fentiments worthy the Roman Caio fought for them in
Tully and Lucan^ When he woti'd give hii fubjed diofe terrible
f races which Dion. Hallicar ; complains he could find no where
ut in Homer, he takes the afliftancc of our Shakefpear, who in
his Julm C^Jar has painted the confpirators with a pomp and
ierrour thai perfeflly aftonilhcs, hear our Briii(h Homer*
400
JULIUS Ci€SAR.
Between the a^ng oft dreatlfbl thin^
And the fidl motion, all ibe Interim is
The Genius and the mortal Ifffiramfmtt
Are then in taufteil^ and the ftiie of Maa
Ulce 10 a little Kingdom, fu^s then
The nature of an mfurreflion^
Mr, Addifon has thns imitated it ;
O think what anxious momeots pafs between
The birth of plots, and their lafi fatal periods
O 'tis a drcaafal interval of tijne.
Filled up with horror all, & big with death.
I have two things to obferve on this imitation, i • the detorunt
this cxad Mr. of propriety has obferved. In the Confpiracy of
Shakcfpcar's defcription, the fortunes of C^far and the roman Em-
pire were concerned » And the magnificent eircnmftances of
*< The genius and the mortal inftruments
'* Are tien in council.**
is exa^ly proportioned to the dignity of the fubjei^. But thi*
wou'd have been too great an apparatus to the defertion of Syphax
and the rape of Sempronius^ ana therefore Mr< Addifon omits it*
II. The other thing more worthy oor notice is, that Mr* A, was
fo greatly moved and affeded with the pomp of Sh : » defcription,
that fnfieod of €&0ing hit author f ffntime^tt, ht km before he nL*m
dt^ware gi'ven m pitij the marki ef his &um imfreffiQm m the rradmg
kim^ tor,
" O 'tis a dreadful interval of time
'* Filled up with horror all, and big with death,*'
ire bat the afieAions raifcd by fuch lively imager aa tlicfc
** all the Int'rim is
" Like a phantafina or a hideous dream,
^,
*• The ilatc of man — ^like to a little kingdom fuffen then
" The nature of an infurrcdion»"
Again when Mr. Addifon woud paint the fofter pfllons he has
recourfe to Lee who certainly had a peculiar genius that way. thus
his Juba
" True fhe is fair. O how divinely fairl**
coldly imitates Lee in his Alex ;
" Then he wou'd talk ; Good Gods how he wou'd talk I
I pronounce the mote boldly of this, becaufc Mr. A. in hii jg
Spec, expreffes his admiration of it. My paper fails me, or I
flioud now offer to Mr. Theobald an objettion sgt, Shakfpcare**
acquaintance with the ancients. As it appear? to mc of great weight,
and ai it is j^eceflary he fhou'd be prepared to obviate all that occur
on that head. But fomc other opportunity will prcfent kfclfe.
You may now, Sr, jultty complain of xtxf ill mannen in deferring
JULIi/S C>ESAR. 401
till now, what (hou'd have been StS: of idl acknowledged due to
you. which is my thanks for all your favours when in town, par-
ticularly for introducing me to the knowledge of diofe wordiv and
ingenious Gentlemen that made up oor laft night's conveHation. I
am. Sir, with all efteem yoar moft obliged friend and humble
fervant
W, Warburton.
Newarkejan. 2. 1726.
[The fuperfcription u thus.]
For
Mr. M, Concancn at
Mr. Woodwards at the
half moon in ffleetftrete
London.
The foregoing Letter was found about the year 1750, by Dr.
Gawin Knight, firft librarian to the Britifh Mufeum, in fitting up
a houfe which he had taken in Cranewcoart, Fleet-ftreet. The
houfe had, for a long time before, been let in lodgings, and in all
probability, Concanen had lodged there. The original letter has
Deen many years in my poffeffion, and is here moft exadily copied,
with itt feveral little peculiarities in grammar, fpelling. and punc-
tuation. April 30. 1766. M. A.
The above is copied from an indorfement of Dr. Mark Akenfide,
as is the preceding letter from a copy given by him to Mr. Steevens.
1 have carefully retained all the peculiarities above mentioned.
Maloks.
Vol. XIL D d
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.*
D d 2
!
* Antony and Cleopatra.] AioQZig .the tcntries in ^
books of the Stationers* Company, Oftobcr 19, *)<)^» J^ find ** A
fiooke entitaled the Tngedie of Cleopatra " ItiB^ooteradibySjmKm
Waterfon, for whom fome of Daniel'^Bvirorks wflUe prio^; cjiq^
therefore it is probably by that author, of whofe Ctiofiau^^ ^bpqe
are feveral editions ; and, among others, one in 1594*
In the fame volomes. May 2, »6o8> Edward Blount entered
«< A Booke cdUed Anthony and CUopatra.'' This is the ^ift notice
I have met with concerning any edition of this play ijiore fttciput
than the folio, 1623. Stbbvbns.
Antony and Cleopatra was written, I imagine, in the year i6o8*
Sec Ah Attempt to ajartain the order cfSbak/p^re'splajs^ Vol. I.
Malonb.
Persons reprefented.
M. Antony,
Odavius Caefar,
M. Mmil. Lepidus,
Sextus Pompeius.
Domitius Enobarbus^
Ventidius,
Eros,
Scarus,
Dercetas,
Demetrius,
Philo,
Mecsenas,
Agrippa,
abe
1
Triumvirs.
> Friends ^Antony.
^Friends to Cxfan
Dolabella,
Proculeius,
Thyreus,
Gallus,
Menas, i
Menecrates, \ Friends of Pompey.
Varrius, J
Taurus, Lieutenant-General to Caefar.
Canidius, Lieutenant-General to Antony.
Silius, an Officer in Ventidius's army.
An Ambajfador from Antony to Caefar.
Alexas, Mardian, Seleucus, and Diomedes ; if//^-
dants on Cleopatra.
A Soothfayer. A Clown.
Cleopatra, ^een of Egypt.
Odlavia, Si^er to Caefar, and ff^ife to Antony.
Sr"^*^'^' ]^^lendantsonC\co^tv2L.
Officers^ Soldiers^ Mejfengers, and other Attendants.
S CE NE, difperfedi in feveral parts of the Roman
Empire.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
ACT I. SCENE I.
Alexandria. A Room in Cleopatra's Palace.
Enter Demetrius and Philo.
Phi. Nay, but this dotage of our general's,*
Overflows the meafure : thofe his goodly ty^s^
That o'er the files and mufters of the war
Haveglow'd like plated Mars, now bend, now turn»
The office and devotion of their view
Upon a tawny front : his captain's heart.
Which in the feu files of great fights hath burft
The buckles on his breaft, reneges ' all temper ;
And is become the bellows, and the fan.
To cool a gipfy 's luft/ Look, where they come !
* of our generaVz^ It has already been obferved that this
phrafeology (not» of our general,) was the common phrafeology of
Shakfpeare's time. Ma lone.
An erroneous reference in Mr. Malone's edition, prevents me
from doing complete juflice to his remark, Stbevb ns,
* reneges — ] Renounces. Pope,
So, in King Lear : *« Renege, affirm," &c. This word is like-
wife ufed by Stanyhuiil in his verfion of the fecond book of Vir-
gil's iEneid :
" To live now longer, Troy burnt, he flatly reneagetb.**
Stesybhs*
^ And is become the helicnvs, and the fan.
To cool a gipfy* s luft, — ] In this pafTage fomcthing feems to be
wanting. The bellows Sindfan being commonly ufed for contrary
parpofes, were probably oppofcd by the author, who might perhi^
nave written :
D d 4
408 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Tlourijb. Enter Antony andCLEOPAVHAyWlbjUir
trains ; Eunuchs fanning hrr.
Take but good note, and you fhall fee in him
The triple pillar* of the world transformed
Into a ftrutnpet's fool « behold atid fee*
Clbo. If it be love indeed^ tell me how much.
i is become the MUtvs, and the Jan,
To kiixfle and to cool n gyfff* ^* J^" ir«OK.
In Lyly's Midas, ^59^* ^^^ bellows is ufed both to cod and to
kindle : '' Methinks Venas and Natore ftand -wkh -iftr^ ^f^temg
fair of bellows, tme coolivg my low birth^ tbe oAer kmmn^ wf
lofty atfcdHons/' Ste evens.
The text is andoobtedty right. The *bif/b^s, as weQ as the At,
iocis the air by ventilation ; and SMkrfteaK cazjfidttfd it Imr
merely as an inftrument of nvind^ witheat ^tdndiagto 4k imatt-
tick ufe to which it is commonly applied.- We meet widiAfioilir
phrafeology in his Fe»us dni Adonis :
** ITicn* wkh hct tvimfy fiAs, and goldefi^favhs,
«• To fan and bhm) thcAi ^ ligdki, the fedki.^'
The followlne lines in Spenier's Paeij ^mmt, & !!• c* is* at
once fupport and explain the 'text :
" !Bnt 'to delay the lieat, left by mffchawioe
** It might breake out, and fet the whole on fyre,
" There added was, by goodly ordinaunce,
** A huge great payre of bello'VDes, which did ftvpc
«« Continnally, and cffoling breath irf{pyrfc.*' Maloki«
Johnfon's amendment is unnecelTary, and his reafons fitir it iD
fbonded. The bellows and tlie fan have the (ame ^Se^i. Whca
applied to a fire, ihey increafe it; but when applied to any o^
warm fubftancc, they rWit. M. Maso>i.
gipfy* ^"J}^\ ^'P/j ^^ ^^^ "^^^ ^^^ in -die origtml
meaning tor an Mgyptian, and in its accidental fenfe for a M
nvoman, Johnson.
* The triple pil/ar ] Triple if here ufed improperiy bt
third, or one of three. One of the triumvirs, one of the duee
hiafters of the world. Warburton.
So, in AWs mil that Ends Well:
" Which, as the dcareft iffue of his practice,
<* He bade me fiore up as a triple eye." Maloki*
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, 409
Am. There's beggary in the love that can be
reckon'd.^
Cleo* I'll fet a bourn * how far to be belov*d,
jtnrn Then mud thou needs find out new hca-
vcnj new earth,^
Enier an Attendants
Arr* News, my good lord, from Rome.
Afir. 'Grates me : — The fum.*
Cleo. Nay, hear them,' Antony:
Fulvia, perchance, is angry ; Or, who knows
If the fcarce- bearded Caefar have not font
I His powerful mandate to you, Do ibis, ^rthisi
I ' Thereat beggary in the iiyve tktit cm he redm*d.} So, in Rame&
^^^ '< They arc but beggars that can coont tbeir worth."
^^V *• iqfia famea aipkp qui numtrare pouJlJ*
^^ Mart. K vJ, qj, 5$,
AgaiTij in the r3tlibookof Ovid'iMetamorphofisi astranflated
by Golding, p^ 172 :
Pmiperis eji numfrsre pecm*
*• Tufli I beggars of their cattel life the number for tu
know/' Sr^^vENs,
Again, in Much ada ah^mi m^hing*
*' I were buE Jittle happy* Iff could fay how mcch/*
i .p..«^|^irnr^ Bound or iimit. Pops.
So, in I'hf Ulnfrr^t TaU:
** one that fiices ^
" No hfmm 'twixt his and mine/' SniVElfi*
« Then mufi thm ntfdi find oui utmi he&vcn^ ^C»] Thou muft let
the boundary of my love at a greater diftance than the prcfcnt
?ifibk onivcrfe affords* Joh nso n.
1 -*^— 7j&^ fum,^ Be brief, /urn thy bufioefs in a few words.
Johnson,
* Nff^t J&fflrthcm>] i.e. the ffif«w/. This word in Shakfpcare's
time was con fide red a$ plural. So, in Plutarch's Lift of Am^y :
•* A monlus hca ring thejt n ewes,* ' &c. M a l o w e »
410 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Take in that kingdom/ md enfrmcbife ibiU ;
Perform* i^ orelfe we damn thee.
Ant. • How, my love!
Cleo. Perchance^ — nay, and moftlikc.
You mufl: not flay here longer^ your difmiflion
Is come from Csefar ; therefore hear it, Antony*—
Where's Fulvia's procefs ? ' Caefar's, I would fay ?—
Both?—
Call in the menengers, — As I am Egypt's qticcni
Thou blufiieft^ Antony ; and that blood of thine
Is CaE^far's homager : elfe fo thy cheek pays fhame,
When fhrilUtongu'd Fulvia fcolds, — The meflen-
gers.
A^r* Let Rome in Tiber melt ! and the wide
arch
Of the ranged empire fall ! * Here is my fpacei A
4 T&h hit ^c.] i. t, fubduc, conquer. See Vol. VIL p, t6o»
ii« ^ ; and Vol, XI T, p, 26, n, 9. Reed.
* /f^f A Ffit/^tti'/ procds ?] Pmcf/t here means ^j»w^/.
M. Masoi*
" The writings of our common Uwj-ers fomettJiies call chat dr
pr^effe^ by which a maa is called tnlo the court tud no mote.**
Minfheu** Dict* 1617, in v, Broctffe^ — ^" To fcrvc witk piocdtj
Vide to ciUf to /ummnft.'* Hid* Malohe* |
* ■ anJ tkf fWidt arch
Of tkf ntng'd empire fail/] Taken from the Roman coftooK
raifing triumphal arches to pcipctuate their vidorics, £itidi^|
noble. Wars tr ETON.
I am in doubt whether Shakfpcate had any idea but of a fabd
ftanditig on pillars. The later editions hive all prinied the «■,
empire, for the r^iw^r*/ empire, a$ it was firft given* Joii9r»6ir«
The i^tfjf V empitf is certainly right, ShalLfpeam afcs the faaitl
expreflion in Coriaianus :
*' — —bury all which yetdiftinflJ/ ranga^
" In heaps and piles of ruin.*'
Again^ in Mtt^h ado ahmt Nsthmg^ Atfl II, fc 11 : « Whaiibeitr
comes athwan hk afiedion, rangts evenly with mine-'*
Srttnwk
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 411
kingdoms are clay : our dungy earth alike
; beafl: as man: the noblencfs of life
> do thusi when fuch a mutual pair,
ItmBraangm
And fuch a twain can do't, in whkh^ I bind
On pain of punifhment, the world to weet/
We ftand up peerlefs.
• Cl£ 0- Excellent fallhood !
Why did he marry Fulvia, and not love her? —
lil feem the fool I am not; Antony
Will be himfelf.
^ Ant. But ftirr'd by Cleopatra.* —
row, for the love of Love, and her foft hours,^
The term rm^e feems to have been applied in a peculiar fcnfe to
ijnafoa-work in our author's time, So^ in ispenfer*s fa^ry ^f^/t^
ip* 1I« c* ix :
*' It was a vault y-buiJt for great difpence,
" With many raungrs reared along the wall," Malonc,
1 t& <weett] To know» Fowzm
LWil! he hmjftf.
Aot- Bmi prr'd bj Cieo^tra.--^^ Bttf, in this parage,
Ris to have the old Saxon fignification of wlhout^ unit^^ft^ extej^u
tjlrttawy^ fays the queen > mjill rtc^lU^ his ihangliu Unlefs ////, he
fcplics^ m commotkn hj Clt^patrti. JoHNsoN*
What could Cleopatra inea0 by faying Afttotfj mtitl recaHeB lu
ihughts ? What thoughts were they, for the recolIedHon of which
Jhe was to applaud him ? It was not for her purpofe that he (hould
think, or roufe him felf from the lctharg>' in n-hich {he wiflicd to
Leep him* By Afiiony ^wiil he himfiif^ fhe means to fay» ** that
Antony will ad like the joint fovcreign of the world, and follow
Ml own inclinations, without regard to the mandatei ofCxfar^ or
the anger of Fulvia/* To which he replies. If hut fikrd by QU^
.fatrui that is, if moved to it in the fllghteft degree by hcr<
M. Masoit.
9 Nq'w, fir the io^t of le^r, and her fift hmrs^l For the love
of Love, means, for the fake of the queen of love, Ko, in Tht
* Cgmtdj (f Errors :
** hciL&vr^ being light, be drowned if A fi'^,"
412 ANTONY AND CUEOPATRA.
Let' s not confou nd tl>e time * with coaferencc harfli t
There's not a minute of our lives fliould ftretch M
Without fomepleafure now : What fport to^oight!
Clbo, Hear the ambafTadors.
jInt. Fje, wrangling queen!
Whom every thing becomes, to chide^ to laughs
To weep ; * whofe tYCry paiTion fully ftrives *
To make itfclf, in thee, fair and admir'd !
No meflenger; but thine and all alone/
Mr< Rowe fab^ituted lis for ker^ and this unju{li5able alcorium)
was adopted by all the fubrequcnt edaars. M4L0 n e,
^ Lei'/ fiot CQtifouud the time — ] u e. let 03 not coofmilcAe
time* So^ in Corkianus :
" How could'ft ihoti in a mile imfitmi an hotu^
« And bring thy news fo ktt?" Malomk*
3 Wh^m tmery ihm^ bre^meM, to ihidft tQ laugh ^
Tq 'W^rf j] So, in out author 'a 1 50th ^mitti :
*• wlicncc haft tlioii this hecomng of things jD^
** That in the very rcfuTc of thy deeds
" There is fpch ftrength and warrantifcof Oct!!,
** That in my mind thy worft all beft eiccedU *"
^ ^^ whofe c^ery p&JJIm fuilj firrves ^^^ The folio rod*— J
^he^ It was corrcfted by Mr, Rowe; but ** <whc/€ t^ty pti
was not, I fufpea, the phrafcology of Shakfpeare'i titu^ The
however is iinibubtedly corrupt* Ma lone*
Wh&fe f'^rjt u an undoubted phrafcof our author* Sq, mfk
"A fpaee, luh/t rutty cubit
** Seems to cry out/* &c.
See Vol* ni. p. 70, Again J 10 Cymhttim z
" ihishand, whofe tough,
" Wkoff m)irry touch" &C,
Sec Vol. Xfll, p, ^4.
The fame expreteon occurs again in another play, bot t\
loft my reference to it. Stb eve n s»
* Nq mefft^geri imi ihiHe at$d all afme^ &C.} Cleopatra hai Uit
** Call in the meflengcrs;'* and aficrwardsj " Hcai the amb*^
dotSt'' Talk not to me, &ya Antony « of tneQc^getSi I ■mnQV
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 413
To-night^ we'll wander through the ftrccts/ and
note
The qualities of people. Come, my queen ;
Laft night you did delire it : — Speak not to us.
[Exeunt Ant. and Cleg p. with their train ^
Dem. Is Csefar with Antonius priz'd fo flight ?
Phi. Sir, fometimes, when he is not Antony,
He €Ofne» too fbort of that ^eat property
Which ftill fliould go with Antony.
Dem. Tm full forry.
That he approves the common liar,^ who
Thus fpeaks of him at Rome : But I will hope
Of better deeds to-morrow. Reft you happy !
lExeunt.
i»llolfy thiae, and you and I unattended wiU to-night wander
difoa^ the ftreet^b The fubfequent words whkh he utters as he
goes oaf, '* Speak not to m" confirm this interpretation.
Malonc.
• T0-nrfbt, nm*ll tvfmder tbrwgh the ftreets^ &c.] Sa, in Sir
TIlDflnas North's Tfwtjiathn of thf Life of Antonius : ** — Sometime
alio when he would goe up and downe the citie difgoifed like a
flm m the night, and would peere into poore mens' windowos
johL tiKk (hops, and fcold and brawl with them within the houfe ;
Cleopatra would be aMb in a chamber maides array, and amble up
and down the (treets with him/' &c. Ste evens.
1 Thtrt be approves the c&mm&fi liar,] Fame. That he froves
tte common liar, fame, in his cafe to be a true reporter.
Malonb,
So, in Hamlet :
«• He msiya^frtyve our eyes, and fpcak to it/* Stbcvbks»
41+ ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA,
SCENE II.
Thf Jame, Amther Room*
Enter Chakhia^^ Iras, Alexas, and a Soothfaycr/
Cii^iR. Lord Alcxas, fwcet Alcxas, moft: any
thing Alexas, almoil mod abfolute Alexas, whcre's
the foothfayer that you praifed fo to the quccji ? 0,
that I knew this hufbaiidi which, you fay» moft
change his horns with garlands ! **
* E/tUr Charmiow, Irat$ Akxai, and a SoQthfsyerJ] Tile old
copy reads i ** Enter Enobarbus, Lamprimt a Southfayer* Rmfmm%
I^dlim^ Charmian, Iras, Mardian the Eunuch, and Alexas/'
Plutarch mentions his grantlfather Lamprias, as his author fof
fome of the ft ones he relates of the profufciiefs and luxury of Aa*
tony*s entertainrncnts at Alexandria. Sliakfpcare appeam to have
been very anxious in this play to introduce every inciacm m^ every
perfonagc he met with in his hiftoriani In the multitude of hb
characters, however, LamprioM is entirely ovcrloak*d, togethcf
with the others whofc names we find in this llagc^dirc^on*
Steetini,
* thnn^ hu hami m^ith garlandi /] This b corrupt i the
true reading evidently i^ : m^ charge hti h^mi 'wiih rarlmtdt^ i
i. e, make mm a ricn and honourable cuckold, having his horni I
hung about with garlands. Warburton-
Sir Thomas Hanmer reads, not improbably, cha»^ for imm
his gariands* I am in doubt, whether to changf ts not tDCfely lO
rfnfAf oi^ '^ ^^ifi 'w/Vi' chattgei fl/^ garlands. Johnson,
So, Taylor the water-poet, defcribing the habit of a coachiota:
*• ——with a cloak of fome py'd colour, with two or three ^^wp
of laces about*** Ch&Mge of clothes in the time of S^hakfpeare ^
nified ^^rkiy of them, CorhlanuM fays that he has received *• ckmgt
of honours*' from the Patricians* Aft II, fc^ i.
That to change rwiiht " applied to two things, one of which is Cd
be put in the place of the other/' is the language of Shakfpeait,
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, 415
Alex* Soothfaycn
Sqqtb* Your will?
Mr- Milone might have Icam'd from the following paflage in
LCjmhtimt^ A£l L fc* vL >. c. the Qucen*s fpeech £o Pifanlo:
" to Jhift his being,
" Is to exchange one mifcry *with another,"
Ag^t in ^^ 4th Book of Milton's Paradifi Lofi^ v* 892 :
^ ** where thou might'ft hope to chavge
■ " Torment ^M cafe." Steevens.
1 once thought that thcfe two words might have been often cnn*
fbimdedt by their being both abbreviated, and written f/jage. But
jm jr» as the Bifhop of Dromorc ohferves to me, was fometimeii
omitted both in Mu and print, and the omiflion thus marked, but
mn r never. This therefore might account for n compofitor inad^
vertentlj printing rharge inftead of change^ but not change inllead
of charge % which word was never abbreviated* 1 alfo doubted
the phrafeology^ — change with, and do not at prefenl recoiled
aw example of it in Shakfpeare's pla)s or in hi* time ; whilll io
n^ Taming ihe Slbrewt wc have the modern phrafcolog>' — change
Jor:
fTo change true rules Jot- odd inventions.
But a careful revillon of thefc plays^ has taught me to place no
confidence in fuch obfer various ; for from fome book or other of
that age, I have no doubt almoft every combination of wordi that
may be found in our author, However uncouth it may appear to
our ears, or however different from modern phrafcology, will at
fome time or other be jullilied- In the prefent edition, many
which were confidered as undoubtedly corrupt, have been incon-
ttrovertibly fupported.
Sfiil, howcvtr, I think that the reading originally introduced by
Mr» Theobald, and adopted by Dr. Warburton, i^ the true one,
becaufc it affords a elcar f^nfc: whilft on the other hand, the
reading of the old copy affords none ; for fuppofing change nvith
to mean exchange fir, what idea is conveyed by f his paffage ? and
what other fenfe can thefe words bear? The fubilantive change
being formerly ufed to iignify ^varietj^^ (as change of c loath s^ of
honours* &c.) proves nothing: change of cimih of line ft ncccflarily
Imports more than one ; but the thing fought for is the meaning
of the *verh to change, and no proof is produced to {how that it
»fignii^ed to tirt/i; or that it had an>' other meaning than to exchange*
Charmian is talking ofhtrfmnre hufhand, who certainly could
not change \n% horns, ai pre/eni, for garlands or any thing elfe,
hiving not yet obtained them; nor could ihe mcani that when he
4i6 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Char. Is this the man ? — Is't you, fir, that know
things ?
Sooth. In nature's infinite book of fccrecy,
A little I can read.
Alex. Show him your hand.
Enier Enobarbus.
Eno. Bring in the banquet quickly ; wine enough,
Cleopatra's health to drink.
Char. Good fir^ give me good fortune.
Sooth. I make not, but forefee.
did get them« he (hould change or part with them, forsarlaadi:
bat he might charge his horns, when he ihoald marry CmnniaB,
with garlands : for having once got them* (he intended^ we mif
fuppole, that he (hould wear them contentedly for life* Honi
charged ivith garlands is an expreflion of a fimilar import with ooe
which is foui^ in Cbaraiierijmu or Leni9n*s Lea/urea, 8yo» l6|li
In the defcription of a contented cuckold* he is faid to*< holdkil
wehvet boms as high as the bed of them.'*
Let it alfo be remembered that garlands are nfoally wrettU
round the beady a circumftance which adds great fuppoxt to chc
emendation now made. So Sidney :
*» A garland made, on temples for to wear."
It is obfervable that the fame miflake as this happened in Cori^'
lanns, where the fame corredion was made by Dr. WarbaUDO*
and adopted bv all the fubfequent editors ;
** And yet to charge thy fulphur with a bolt>
** That (hould but rive an oak."
The old copy there, as here, has change. Since tfait xiole vm
written, I have met with an example of the phrafe— ^9 cbmrg^ nmib,
in Lyly's Maydes Metamorpbofis, 1600 :
** The fweetnefs of that banquet muft forego*
** Whofe pleafant tafte is changed <witb bitter woe."
I am dill, however, of opinion that charge^ and not cbange, k
the true reading, for the reaibns a(Cgned in my original note.
Malovi.
** To change his horns with [i. c. for] garlands," fignifies, W
be a triumphant cuckold ; a cuckold who will confider hii ftaie ai
7
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 417
Chjr. Pray then, forefee me one.
Sooth. You (hall be yet far fairer than you are.
Char. He means, in flefh.
Iras. No, you Ihall paint when you arc old.
Chjr. Wrinkles forbid !
Alex. Vex not his prefcience ; be attentive.
Char. Hufh!
Sooth. You (hall be more beloving, than belov'd.
Char. I had rather heat my liver * with drinking.
Alex. Nay, hear him.
Char. Good now, fome excellent fortune ! Let
me be married to three kings in a forenoon, and
widow them all: let me have a child at fifty,^ to
whom Herod of Jewry may do homage : ^ find mc
an bonoorable one. Thus, fays Benedick, in Much ado about No^
Aimg : ** There is no ftaff more honourable than one tipt with
htnh** — ^We are not to look for ferious argument in fuch a *' ikip*
ping drogue" as that before us. Steevens.
* I badratber beat my Irver J To know why the ladyJs fo
ifCffe from beating her Irver ^ it muft be remembered, that a heated
fiver is fuppofed to make a. pimpled face. J oh mso n.
The following paffage in an ancient fatirical poem, entitled
Nuet fnm BlaeJ^fyars^ \6i']f conBrms Dr. Johnfon's obfervation :
*' He'll not approach a taverne, no nor drink ye,
•• To fave his life, hot water ; wherefore think ye ?
*• For heating's liver ; which fome may fuppofe
*• Scalding hot, by the bubbles on his noft." Malonb.
Thc/w^wascon(idered as the feat of dcfire. In anfwer to the
Soochfayer, who tells her (he (hall be very loving, (he fays, *• She
had rather heat her liver by drinking, if it was to be heat^."
M. Mason.
* let me bo've a child at fifty ^"l This is one of Shakfpeare's
natural touches. Few circumftances are more flattering to the
&ir fex, than breeding at an advanced period of life. Stb evens.
* to nvhom Herod of Jewry may do homage ;] Herod paid
Vol. XII. E c
41 8 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
to marry me with Odavius Caefar^ and companion
me with my miftrefs.
Sooth. You ihall outlive the lady whom you
ferve.
CiuR. O excellent ! I love long life better thin
Sooth. You have feen and prov'd a fairer former
fortune
Than that which is to approach.
Char. Then, belike, my children ihall have no
names :^ Pr'ythee, how many boys and wenches
muft I have ?
homage to the Romans, to ]>rocaie the grant of the kiMdomof
Judea ; but I believe there is an allufion here to the tbauicd
chara^r of this monarch, and to a proverbial expreffioa feuDied
on it. Hfrod was alwsLp one of the perfonages in the myfleuei of
our early flage, on which he was conftantly reprefented at a fien
haughty, bluflering ^f^^^^* ^^ ^^^ Herod if ye^ty becune a OOB*
mon proverb, expremve of turbulence and »«• Tlias, Hamki
fays of a ranting player, that he *' out-berods Aroi.** And in lUi
tragedy Alexas tells Cleopatra that *' not even Heni rf Jtmf
dare look upon her when (he is an«y ;" t. e. not cren a naa ■
fierce as Herod. According to thu explaniitioD, thefenfedPibe
prefcnt parage will be — ^Clunnian wiihes for a fiNU who m^ ar-
rive to fuch power and dominion that the proodcft and icrad
monarchs of the earth may be brought under faia yokew
Stiivivi.
* / iove long life better than figs,'\ This is a proverbial a-
preffion. Steevbns.
^ Then, belike, my children /ball have no names:] If I hcred*
ready had the beft of my fortune^ then I fuppofe ijbali avwr mm
children f that is, I am never to be married. However^ tcU ae
the truth, tell me, honv many boys andtuenchesf John sow.
A fairer fortune, I believe, means — a more reputable one. Her
Anfwer then implies, that belike all her children will be bailaid^
who have no right to the name of their father's family. Thus (ifi
Launce in the third ad of The T'wo Gentlemen of Feroma : «' Thai's
as much as to fa^ baftard virtues, that indeed know not their ^
thers, and therefore have no nanus. *' Stievbns.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 419
Sooth. If every of your wifties had a womb.
And fertile every wifh, a million.'
Char. Out, fool ! I forgive thee for a witch.*
Alex. You think, none but your fheets arc pri-
vy to your wifhes.
Char. Nay, come, tell Iras hers.
Alex. We'll know all our fortunes.
A line in our author's Rape of Lucnu confirms Mr. Steerens's
interpretation :
•« Thy iffuc blurr'd with namelefs baftardyj* Ma lone..
' Ifivety of your ivijhes had a ivomh,
AnditniXt e*vety ivijh, a miliion.'] For foretell in ancient edi-
tionsy the later copies have foretold. Foretel favours the emen-
dation of Dr. Warburton, which is made with great acutenefs ;
jet the original reading may, I think, fland. If you bad as
jimmy ^wombs as you luill ha<ve nvijhes^ and I fhould y»r^/^/ ali
ihfs wjbes, I Jbould foretel a million of children. It is an ellipfisr
vcrjr fiivquent in converiation ; / Jbould Jhame you^ and tell alli
flnt it, smd if I Jbould tell all. J^nd is for and if, which was an*
ciendy, and is ftill provinciaUy ufed for if Johnson.
If every one of your wifhes, fays the foothfayer, had a womb,
•Bd each womb-invefted wilh were likewife/^/'/r, you then would
have a million of children. — ^The merely fuppofing each of her
^iflieB to have a womb, would not warrant the foothfayer to pro»
Boonoe that ihe (hould have any children, much lefs a million ;
Sat, like Calphurnia, each of thefe wombs might be fubjed to
•• the fterile curfe.'* The word fertile therefore is abfolutely re-
qiufite to the fenfe.
In the inftance given by Dr. Johnfon, *^ I (hould (hame yon
and tell all," 1 occurs in the former part of the fentence, and
dieieftire may be well omitted afterwards ; but here no perfonal
pionoDn has been introduced. Malon e.
The epithet /^rZ/Ar is applied to womb, in Timon of Athens :
♦* Enfear thy fertile and conceptions womb."
I have received Dr. Warburton's mod happy anendation.
Steevkns.
• 1 forgive thee for a ivitcb.] From a common proverbial
leproach to filly ignorant females : — ** You'll no-er be bunt for a
iritch." Stbeve.xs.
E e 2
420 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA*
Eno. Mine, and mod of our fortunes, tx) night,
Ihall be — drunk to bed.
Iras. There's a palm prefagcs chaftitjr, if no-
thing elfe.
Char. Even as the o'er flowing Nilus prefageth
famine.
Iras. Go, you wild bedfellow, you cannot (both-
fay.
Char. Nay, if an oily palm be not a fruitful
prognoftication,' I cannot fcratch mine ear. — Pr'jr-
thee, tell her but a worky-day fortune.
Sooth. Your fortunes are alike.
Iras. But how, but how ? give me particular!.
Sooth. I have faid.
Iras. Am I not an inch of fortune better than
fhe?
Char. Well, if you were but an inch of fortune
better than I, where would you choofc it?
Iras. Not in my hulband's nofe.
Char. Our worfer thoughts heavens mend!
Alcxas, — come, his fortune,^ his fortune, — O, let
* iV<y, *f tM oily palm ht not a fruitful progmjticatim^ &e.] So^
in Otbello :
*• — This b/iml is fwifi, my lady :—
** This argues fruitfulufjf and iil>eral heart/* MALOVt.
Antonio, in Dryden's Doft Scbafiian, has the fame remark :
*« 1 have a moiji, Jivfatj palm j the more's mj fin."
Stiivivi.
9 Ahxasi^-^omet his fortune^'] [In the old COpy, the fUUDC of
Altxas is prefixed to this fpeech.]
Whofe fortune docs Alexas call out to have told ? But, in ihort,
this I dare pronounce to be fo palpable and fignal a tiaofpofitioo,
that I cannot but wonder it ihouJd have iltpt the obfer\'ation of all
the editors ; cfiHtcially of tlic fagarious Mr. Pope, who has made
thik declaration, That if thmi^hotu tht plays, had all the fpeecbet
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 421
him marry a woman that cannot go, fweet Ifis, I
befeech thee ! Amd let her die too, and give him a
worfe ! and let worfe follow worfe, till the word
of all follow him laughing to his grave, fifty-fold a
cuckold 1 Good Ifis, hear me this prayer, though
thou deny me a matter of more weight ; good Ifis,
I befeech thee !
Iras. Amen. Dear goddefs, hear that prayer of
the people ! for, as it is a heart-breaking to fee a
handfome man loofe-wiv'd, fo it is a deadly forrow
to behold a foul knave uncuckolded ; Therefore,
dear Ifis, keep decorum, and fortune him accord-
ingly!
Char. Amen.
Alex. Lo, now ! if it lay in their hands to make
me a cuckold, they would make themfelves whores,
but they'd do't.
Eso. Hufti ! here comes Antony.
Char. Not he, the queen.
been printed ^without the *very names of the per/ons, he believes one
might have applied them with certainty to rvery fpeaker. But in
how many inftances has Mr. Pope's waot of judgment falfified this
opinion ? The fad^ is evidently this ; Alexas brings a fortune-teller
to Iras and Charmian, and fayshimfelf. We'll itnonv all our fortunes
Well; the foothfayer begins with the women; and fome jokes
pafs upon the fubjed of hulbands and chaftity ; after which, the
women hoping for the fatisfadion of having fomething to laugh at
in Alexas 's fortune, call him to hold out his hand, and wifli hear*
tily that he may have the prognoftication of cuckoldom upon him.
The whole fpeech, therefore, muft be placed to Charmian. There
needs no Wronger proof of this being a true corredion, than the
obfervation which Alexas immediately fubjoins on their wilhci and
zeal to bear him abu fed. Theobald,
E c 3
422 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Enter Cleopatra.
Cleo. Saw you my lord?^
Eifo. No, lady.
Cleo. Was he not here?
Char. No, madam.
CiEo. He was difpos'd to mirth; but on the
fudden
A Roman thought hath llruck him. — Enobarbus,-—
Eno. Madam.
Cleo. Seek him, and bring him hither. Where*!
Alexas ?
Alex. Here, madam,* at your fcrvice. — My
lord approaches.
Enter Antony, with a Mejfenger, and Attendants.
Cleo. We will not look upon him : Go with us.
[£^^»;7/ Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Alexas, Iras,
Charm IAN, Soothfayer, and Attendants.
Mes. Fulvia thy wife firft came into the field.
Ant. Againft my brother Lucius ?
Mes. Ay:
But foon that war had end, and the time's ftatc
Made friends of them, jointing their force 'gainft
Caefar;
Whofe better iffue in the war, from Italy,
9 Saw you mj lord?'] Old copy— ^/7<i;^ you. CorrcAed by tbe
editor of the fecond fouo. Sipw was formerly written fmfe.
Malone*
* Here, madam^] The refpedl due from Alexas to fais iDtftrr&»
in my opinion points out the title — Madam, (which is wanting in
the old copy) as a proper cure for the prcfcnt dcfed in metre.
Stieyivi.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 433
Upon the firft encounter, drave them.'
Ant. Well,
What worft ?
Mes. The nature of bad news infers the teller.
Asr^ When it concerns the fool, or coward. —
On:
Things, that are paft, are done, with me. — 'Tis
thus;
Who tells me true, though in his tale lie death,
I hear him as he flatter'd.
Mes. Labienus
(This is ftifFnews*) hath, with his Parthian force.
Extended Afia from Euphrates j ^
5 — dravc tbem.'\ Drove is the ancicntprctcritc of the verb, to
irrv§t and frequently occurs in the Bible. Thus in Jojbua^ xxiv. 1 2 :
" and dra*ve them out from before you." Stbevqns.
* (Tyt it MffnfnvtJ ] So, in The Rape of Lucrece:
** Fearing fome hard news from the warlike band.''
Malons.
^ Extended AJta from Euphrates 't"] i. e. widened or extended the
boouds of the Leifer Afia. W a r b u r to n.
To extend t is a term ufed for to feize ; I' know not whether
that be not the fcnfe here. Johnson.
I believe Dr. Johnfon's explanation right. So, in Selimut, Em"
fetor of the Turks, 1 594 :
" Ay, though on all the world we make extent,
•* From the fouth pole unto the northern bear."
Again, in Tnvelfth Night :
** this uncivil and unjuft extent
" Againft thy peace."
Again, in Maffinger's Neiv Way to pay old Debts, the Extor«
tioDer fays :
'* This manor is extended to my ufe."
Mr. Toilet has likewife no doubt but that Dr. Johnfon's expla-
nation b juft ; "for (fays he) Plutarch informs us that Labienua
was by the Parthian king made general of his troops, and had
over-run A^a from Euphrates and Syria to Lydia and Ionia." To
fxund is a law term ufed for to feize lands and tenements. In
fupport of his affertion he adds the following inllance : ** Thofc
waoeful companions had neither lands to extend nor goods to be
£ e 4
424 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA,
His conquering banner fliook^ from Syria
To Lydia, and to Ionia;
Whilft
Ai^r. Antony, thou would'ft fay,—
Mes. O, my lord !
Ant. Speak to me home, mince not the general
tongue ;
Name Cleopatra as (he's call'd in Rome:
Rail thou in Fulvia^s phrafe ; and taunt my faults
With fuch full licence, as both truth and malice
Have power to utter. O, then we bring forth weeds.
When our quick winds lie dill ; ' and our ills told
us,
fcized, SiTvile's Tratijlation of Tacitus^ dedicated to ^ Elizahetb:"*
and then obfervcs, that " Shakfpeare knew the legal fignificatkn
of the tenn» as appears from a paflage in At jtm like it :
** And let my officers of fuch a nature
*« Make an extent upon his houfe and lands."
See Vol. VI. p. 7 c, n, 9.
Our ancient Englifh writers almoft always give us Euphnto
inflead of Euphrates.
Thus, in Drayton's Pcljolhion, Song 21 :
" That gliding go in ftatc, like fwelling Euphrates,**
See note on Cymbeline^ Ad III. fc. iii. Steevens.
' When our quid winds lie ft ill',] The fenfc is, that man. not
agitated by ccnfure, like foil not ventilated by quick nvirnds, pio-
druces more evil than good. Joh nson.
An idea fomewhat fimilar, occurs alfo in the Firft VzTtoSHewj
JV. " the cankers of a calm nuorld and a long peace.** Again,
in The Puritan: *' hatch'd and nouriihed in the idle ea&t of
peace."
Dr. Warburton has propofed to read — minds. It is at Mk a
conjedure that dcfcrves to be mentioned.
Dr. Johnfon, however, might in fome degree have coantciianccd
his explanation by a fingular epithet, that occurs twice in the
Iliad — uftf/joTftq>U ; literally, tuind-nouri/hed. In the firft inftance,
L. XI. 256. it is applied to the tree of which a fpear had been
made ; in the fecond, L. XV. 625. to a wave, impelled apon a
ihip. Steevems.
I fufped that juick winds is, or is a cormption of, fome pni«
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 425
Is as our earing. Fare thee well a while.
Mes. At your noble pleafure. [Exit.
vindal word fignifying cither arable lands^ or the inftmments of
bmfiandry ufed in tilling them. Earing fignifies plowing both
here and in page 448. So, in Genefis^ c. 4j: ** Yet there arc
fire years, in the which there (hall neither be earing nor harveft.**
Blackbtone.
This conjedlare is well founded. The ridges left in lands
tnmed up by the plough, that they may fweeten durin? their
fidlow ftate, are ftill called or/W-rows. ^ick nvindsf I fuppoic
to be the fame as teeming fallows ; for fuch fallows are always
Jrmifttl in ixteeds.
\ Wind^rruis Hkewife fignify heaps of manure, confifting of dung
^r lime mixed up with virgin earth, and diftributed in long rows
^nder hedges. If thcfe ivind-ro^vs are fufiered to lie ftilU in two
fenfes, the farmer mud fare the worfe for his want of adivity.
Firft, if this compoft be not frcoucntly turned over, it will brikg
f9rth weeds fpontaneoufly ; fecondly, if it be fufiered to continue
where it is made, the fields receive no benefit from it, bein? fit
only in their turn to produce a crop of ufelefs and obnoxious her-
hage. Steevbns.
Mr. Stecvens's defcription of wind-rows will gain him, I fear,
but little reputation with the hufbandman ; nor, were it more ac-
curate, does it appear to be in point, unlefs it can be (hown that
muck nuinds and wind-rows are fyhonymous; and, further, that
his interpretation will fuit with the context. — Dr. Johnfon hath
confidered the pofition as a general one, which indeed it is ; but
being made by Antony, and applied to himfelf, he^ figuratively,
is the idle foil; the malice x)^2X /peaks home, the quick, or cutting
mrinds, whofe frofty blafts dcftroy the profufion of weeds ; whilft
our ILLS (that is the truth faithfully) told us; a rcprefentation
of our vices in their naked odioufnefs — is as our earing; ferves
to plough up the negleftcd foil, and enable it to produce a profit-
able crop.
When the quick whds lie fill, that is, in a mild winter, thofc
weeds which ** the tyrannous breathings of the north" would have
cat oflF, will continue to grow and feed, to the no fmall detriment
of the crop to follow. Henley,
Whether my definition of ivinds or ivind-rows be exadl or erro-
neous, in jufticc to myfelf I mud inform Mr. Henley that I re-
ceived it from an Eflex farmer ; obferving at the fame time, that
in different counties the fame terms are differently applied. Mr.
Henley is not apt to fufpedl there is any thing whicn, at a (ingle
glance^ he does not perfe^y underiland, and therefore his remarks
426 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
ANt. From Sicyon how the news ? Speak there,
t* Att, The man from Sicyon.— Is there fuch
an one ?
irc ofhercd In with as Httk diSdencc as can well be cxprcflcd. For
one piece of knowledge, however, [m common with me reft of die
world) I flnall think myfelf ftill further obli^d to Mm. Will he
be kind enough to tell us what fort of winds they arc which cat
off the weeds ^nd fpate the flowers, dcftroy the nosdous but lca?e
the falutarj^ plants without an injury ? The w inter of 1 7I8-9 was as
hard a one as has been hitherto renicm!>ercd ; but I could not dif-
cover by my own attention, or from the report of others^ that the
garden or the field had one weed the Icfs for it!; fevcri ty. Let me
do juftice* however, to the general turn of Mr. Henley's tiotc» which
is very ingenious, and perhaps b right. Steivins,
The words Ik fiill arc oppoled to fnring \ qukk means prc|iiant ;
and the fenfe of the paOage is : When our pregnant mmit lie idle
and until led , they bring forth weeds ; but the telling us of our
faults b a kind of culture to them." The pronoun mr before
quick ^ fliows that the fubflantiirc to which it refers muR be fome-
ihing belonging to us, not merely an external objc^» as the ^wiwi
is. To talk ^qukk winds lying fliilf, h little better ^an nonfaifc.
M. Masoi«»
Dr, Johnfon thus explains the old reading :
" The fenfc b, that man, not agitated by ccnfurc, like foil not
ventilated by quick winds, produces more evil than ^ood." This
certainly i» crue of /»//. but where did Dr, Johnfon hnd the word
fiii in this pHage f He found only -w/Wj-, and was forced to fub-
ititute /eii <utnmated bj m;i^di in the room of the word in the old
copy; as Mr, Stecvens, in order tocxtraft a meaning from it»
fuppofcs TjyiWjF to mean failmjL^i^ bccaufe ** the ridges left in lands
turned up by the plough, are termed 'u;W-rowsi" though fa rely
the obvious explication of the latter word, wu^j txp^fti /a tht ixiind^
is the true one* Hence the rows of new-mown gnis laid in heaps
fo dry, arc alfo called m^hd-r^wf*
The emendation which I have adopted, \mmii\ and which wat
made by Br^ Waiburton, makes all perfedlly clear ; for if in Dr.
Johnfon's note we fubftitute, mt tultrvmed^ inftead of — " not ^ef*-
iilaud fy fukk nMiinds/^ we have a true interpretation of Antony's
words as now exhibited. — Our qtikk mindsj means, our lively, ap*
prchenltve minds. So, in King Henry I F^ P.II: *' Itafcends me
into ihi brami — makes it apprchenflve, qukk^ forgetive," Agmin,
in this play ; ** The ^uick comedians," — Si:c.
It ift however proper to add Dr.Warburton's own interpretation ;
•' While the aftive principle within us lie* im merged in fioth and
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 427
3, Atr. He ftays upon your wilL*
Ant. Let him appean—
Thcfe ftrong Egyptian fetters I muft break.
Enter another MeiTenger.
Or lofe myfelf in dotage* — What are you ?
2* Me$. Fulvia thy wife is dead,
Asr* Where died ftie ?
a- Mes, InSicyon:
Her length of ficknefs, with whatelfc moreferious
Importeth thee to know, this bears, {gives a Letier*
Anr* Forbear me, —
[Exit MefTenger*
There's a great fpirit gone ! Thus did I dcfire it :
What our contempts do often hurl from us.
We wifh it ours again ; the prefent pleafure.
By revolution lowering, does become
luxury, we bring fortli vices, jnllead of virtaes, weeds inftead of
(lowers and fruits; but the laying before us our ill condiEioti
plainly aud honeftJyj is, as k were, the iirft culture of the minJ^
which gives hope of a future harveft."
Bcine at all times very unwilliiig to depart from the old copy,
I ihouM not have done it in this in fiance, out that the word 'wmds
in the only fenfe in which it has yet been proved to be ufcd, affords
no meaning : and I had the lefs icruplc on the prefent occafion,
becaufc the fatnc error is fomid in King yabn^ Aft V» fc. vii.
where wc have in the only authcndck copy —
** Death, having ptey*d upon the outward parts,
'* Leaves them invifible; and his fiege is now
" Againll the 'u^/W*" Malojie-
Thc obfer vat ions of fix commentators are here exhibited. To
ofler an additional line on this fubjeftj (as the meifenger fays to
Lady Macduff) " were fell cruelty" to the reader- Steevens-
^ Hf fiays upon jewr w//.] Wc meet with a fi milar phrafc in
Machith :
" Worthy Macbcthp we Hay npm your Icifuie."
SrtEVBKi.
428 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
The oppofite of itfelf : * fhe's good, being gone ;
The hand could pluck her back,' chat ihov'd her on.
I muft from this enchanting queen break off|
Ten thoufand harms, more thdn the ills I know.
My idlencfs doth hatch. ^ — How now ! Enobarbus I
Enter ENOBARBtrs.
Eno. What's your pleafure, fir?
Ant, I muft with hafte from hence.
Enq. Why, then, we kill all our women : Wc
fee how mortal an unkindnefs is to them; if they
fuffer our departure, death's the word,
A fit* I muft begone.
* ^^^ the pr^/etif pltiffurti
By revolution lowering, doet hftomt
The ODpofiie < (tJ[e!fT\ The allufion is to the fun's <Ibrna]
courfe I wnich rifmg in th^ taft^ aod b/ reiMlHtim io^trmg^ or
let ring in the ^wrji^ Becomes the ^pp&fiu of iijtlf* Warburtopt^
This is an obfcurc raflage- The e^tplanation which Dr. War-
burron has offer 'd is fucb^ rhac I can add norhing to it ; yet per^
baps Shakfpcare, who was lefs le^med than his commentatorp
meant only, that our pleafurcs, as they m^nemnhtdm the mind.
turn to pain. Johnson*
1 rather undcdland the pafTagc tha»: What ^me efltn tofi fr^m
m in tmtemft njut nx^ijk Ggahi for^ and ^what is iji fr^fnt nur grtuttft
pU&Juti^ liTj^itn in mr rfiimaiku hj the re^'^Iutkn of timr\ qv Bj a
frt^mmi return ^fj^ffi:^m hec^mej u^dtfire^hle and dijagrteeihh^
ToLLrr*
1 believe re^'oiuthn means change of circ urn dances. This fenfc
appears to rexnove every difficulty from the paffage, — The plmfur^
9fi9^din, hj re%'$lutiQn &f expert ft und ihange of tireumfianies^ &ftem
hja etil Ji$ %'uluf to UM^ ttnd htcomet fo^mgrrp^ a p^hu Steevews,
^ ne ha ftd could plmk htr hmk, 5:c*] The verb could has a pe-
culiar ilgnification in this place ; it does not denote /&*iwr but tn^
ettmtkm. The fenfe is, /if hand thst drov^ ktr nff n^uid n^v
fk'i/iifg/j phck her hack again* M E A TH .
Cflw/i/, 'wQtiid and Jhmld^ are a thoufiuid times indifcnmlnarely
tifcd in the old plays, and yet appear to have been ib employed
rather by choice than by chance^ St i e v £ N s.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 429
Eno. Under a compelling occafion, let women
die: It uere pity to caft them away for nothings
though, between them and a great caufe, they
ftiould be efteem*d nothing. Cleopatra^ catching
but the Icaft noife of this, dies inftantlyj I have
fcen her die twenty times upon far poorer moment : *
I do thinkj there is mettle in death, which com-
mits fome loving ad upon her, Ihe hath fuch a
celerity in dying,
jIkt. She is cunning part man's thought.
Eno, Alack, fir, no; her pafRons are made of
nothing but the fineft part of pure love : Wc can-
not call her winds and waters, fighs and tears;/*
• f&erer mtmeni ♦*] For lefs reafon ; upon meaner motives*
John so »r.
t WV Cffffttoi caii her mnndi and fwafen, ^ghs and it^rii\ I once
icUy {"uppofed tbat Shakfpeare wrote — " Wc cannot call her figh»
zt)A tears, winds arjd waten;" — which is certainly the phrafeol ogy
we fboold now ufe. I mention fuch idle conjcdorcs, however
phui^ble^ only to put all future com menu Curs on their guard
againil fufpc^ting a paflage to be corrupt, bccaufc the diClioa h
diCercnt from that of the prefent day. The arrangement of the
text wa?i the phrafeology of Shakfpeare, and probably of hh time.
So, in Kiitg Heftry Fill :
** — Yoo muft be well contented,
•* To make j'ff^r hatt/e mr TanverJ'
Wi^ (houid certainly now write — to make our Tower yom honre*
Again , in dtrkiamu t
** M hat good condition can a treaty find,
" r the part that h at mcrty ?"
J, c» how can the party that is at mercy or In the power of another*
cxpcd to obtain in a treaty terms favoarable to incm i — Sec alfo a
iiiuiiar inverfion in Vol, V# p, 4^6, n. 2*
I'hc paiTage, howevcfj may be undcirftood without any inverfion,
*' We cannot call rhe clamorous heavings of her breaft* and ihe
copious {Ireams which flow from her eyes, by the ordinary name of
figns and Ic.irs ; they are greater ftormsj" &c* Ma lone*
Dr* Young has feriotifly employed tbb image, though fnggefted
as a ridiculons one by Enobarbus ;
" Sighf there are stmpfjh here,"
fays Cailoi to Leonora* mtL R^n^tmgt. Stuvehs,
430 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA-
they are greater ftorms and tempefts than atma^
nacks can report: this cannot be cunning in her;
if it be, fhe makes a ftiower of rain as well as Jove.
Anw* 'Would I had never feen her !
E^o, O, fir, you had then left unfeen a wonder^
ful piece of work; which not to have been blefs*d
withal, would have difcredited your travel.
Ant* Ful via is dead,
Eno. Sir?
Aht. Ful via is dead^
Eno* Fulvia?
Asr. Dead.
JEko. Why, fir, give the gods a thankful facri-
fice* When it pleafeth their deities to take the
wife of a man from him, it fhows to man the tai-
lors of the earth ; comforting therein,* that when
old robes are worn out, there are members to make
new. If there were no more women but Fulvia*
then had you indeed a cut, and the cafe to be !a-
* — itfisi'wi t& man the iai/on tf the tarlh ; amfarimg thertm^
&€,] 1 have printed this after the originaJt which* though haHh
sud obfcure, I know not how to amend. Sir Thomas Hanmer
reads. They fliow t& man the tailor s pf tht iarth ; c^mfarting him
therein, &c, 1 think the paflkge, with fotncwhat lefs ilteraiionj for
alteration is always dangerous, m^y fland thus ; // fit^nni io men
tSe iaiUrs ef the ta rih , c^mfi riitig ihznii ^r . J o H K s o N ,
ITie meaning is this. At the gods have hem pUafedtQ take amta^
j^nr 'mife Ftdvia^ fo they ha^vs prinidfdym *witk a *rr<w ojk «t
Cttopaira ; in /tie manner 4is the taikrs ef the tarth^ ijtihin jmr M
gmrmmtt art nmrm mtt, arcmmodaUjfm luith nin» ^t$,
AlfOHYMtJ»«
When the deirles arc plcafcd to take a man's wife from him.
this adl of theirs makes them appear to man like the tailors of the
earth ; affording this comfortable rcfledioa, that the ddties have
made other women to fupply the place of his former wifej u the
tailor, when one robe b worn out, fupp!te» him wiih another,
Maloks*
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 431
iiientcd: this grief is crowned with confoktion;
your old fmock brings forth anew petticoat: —
and, indeed, the tears live in an onion/ that lliould
water this forrow.
Ant. The bufinefs ftie hath broached in the ftate.
Cannot endure my ab fence*
Eno, And the bufinefs you have broach *d here
cannot be without you ; efpecially that of Cleopa-
tra *s, which wholly depends on your abode.
Aht* No more light anfwers. Let our officers
Have notice what we purpofe* I fhall break
The caufe of our expedience ^ to the queen.
And get her love to part.* For not alone
rm^ the Uari Ii<vf m an eitwfi, &c,} So, In T&e Nchlt Soldiir,
1034 : "So much water as yoa might fqueezc out of an Qmom had
been tears enough/' ^c- i. c, your forrow (hould bea forced onc-
In aoochcr fcenc of this play we have mm-ejedi and In The
^mmiHg tfa Shuiv^ the Lord fays,
•* If the boy have not a woman'i gift
** To rain a !hower of commaadcd tear^^
** An 6MWft will do well"
Again, in Hail's Firgidfmmtum^ Lib* 6 :
" Some flrong-fmdd Qnm fhall ftirrc his tym
" Rather than no fait tcares {hall then arife/* Stbeteni*
< Thi mufi sfmr expedience } Sxp€dkfiti for expeditioii*
WARBUaTOMa
S^ Vol* VL p. 75:, D. 2. RlED.
^ And^i htr love /j/^r/,] I have no doubt btit wne flio^ld read
//#u^j inSead of ^v^. So afterwards ;
«« 'Would flic had never given you itm^ to come V*
M* Ma son*
The old reading may mean — And prrv^il ttM hir l&n^ la ecnfent
ig smr Jrfarati&h'. S T £ E v E KS ,
I fyfjaed the author wrote: And get her Ua^ to part.
The greater part of the ftaccceding fcenc is employed by Antonjr,
in an endeavour to obtain Cleopatra's pcrmilTion to depart, and^ m
vows of everlallicg conftaocy, not in petfuadbg her 10 forget himt
or love him no longer.
432 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
The death of Fulvia, with more urgent touchei^*
Do ftrongly fpeak to us; but the letters too
Of many our contriving friends in Rome
Petition us at home : "' Scxtus Pompeius
Hath given the dare to Caefar, and commands
The empire of the fea : our flippery people
( Whofe love is never link'd to the defer ver.
Till his deferts are pad) begin to throw
Fompey the great, and all his dignities.
Upon his fon ; who, high in name and power.
Higher than both in blood and life. Hands up
For the main foldicr : whofe quality, going on.
The fides o*the world may danger : Much is breed-
ing.
Which, like the courfer's hair,* hath yet but life,
** 1 go from hence,
*• Thy fctBicr, fervant; making peace. Of war,
•' Asthoy area^ft,"
I have latdy obfcnxd that this cmeodatton had been raafc
Mr, Pope, — If ihc old copy be right, the words niiift mean, I wift
get her love to permit and cndtire our reparation. But the ward
F^i coEineft^ much more naturally with the word lea%'f than wiih
The fame errour [as I have iince obfcrved] has happened in Tii**
Andrf^mcuu and therefore I have no longer any doutt that tima
was Shakfpearc's word. In that play we find —
" He lo^-es his pledges dearer than his life,"
inftead of— He ^^^fi, &c. Maloni,
^ mQre urgent tuuches^l Things that touch me more {ts£tij,
more prefiing motives* JoH w so Ki
So Imogen fays in Cjmheimi :
'• a tmth more rare
•' Subdues all pangs, all fears/' M, Masom.
7 Petition us at heme :] Wifh us at home ; call for us to rciidc^
home. JoHKsoN,
^ — — tht cmrffrt hair^ lifc»] Alludes to an old idle notion
that the Imir of a horfe dropt iuto corrupted water, will cur a to «ii
animaL Pt*PE»
So, in Holinftied's Dfftriptim i^f EnglnHd^ p. 214: *« A
hcrfi'lmiri kid in a pile full of the like water will in a jhort ilcoc
•4
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA,
413
I
And not a ferpent's poifon. Say, our pleafurc.
To fuch whofe place is under us, requires
Our quick remove from hcnce-^
£no. I Ihall do'C. [ExeMiit^
fHrfe and become a living creature. But fith the certaiotie of
ft thefc things is rather proved by kw" &c.
I Again, in Churchyard's Di/cQurfi of Rtitelikn kc* 1 570 :
H '* Hit b of kinde much worfle then h^r/es heare
I •* That lyes in donge, where on vylt Jcrptfiii brcde."
I Sre EVENS.
■ Dr. Lifter, in the l^hikjhfhknl TranfaBkm^ ihowed that what
were vulgarly thought animated ho rfe- hairs, arc real infcfls* It
was alfo aJlrmed, that they moved like fcrpencij and ^ere poifon-
m!% to {Wallow, Tollit,
■ *^ Saj^ our plta/ure^
^&/uch 'whofi place u under «/, rtquir^i
» Our quick rem^^e from hencf.^ Say to thore whofe place b ua-
der oj, u t* to our attendants, that our pleafure re^^uires m to
itmove in hafte from hence. The old copy has^ — ** whofe piacfi
trndcf ns/' and *' ntquire,** The corre^on, which is certaiul/
light, was made by the editor of the fecond folio, MatONi*
^ i fhoutd read the paiTagc thus : —
H ■ — Say our picture
H To fuch 'whQ'ue places under us, requires
H Our quick remove &c.
"^ Tlie amendment is as flight as that adopted by the editor, and
makes the fenfc more clear* M. Mason*
I concur with Mr, Malone, Before J had feen his note, I had
explained thcfc words exadly in the fame manner.
I Icam from an ancient Cdle8i<m of Ordmanas and Regulaiimi
^ iht Govemmeut rf the Rojai IhufehQld ^c. publifhed by the So-
ciety of Antiquaries, 1790, that it was the office of '* Gentlemen
1JQicr« to give the whole houfe warning upon a icmove^'"
kSTBBVBltl*
Xll.
F f
434 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
SCENE III.
Enter Cleopatra, Charmian, Iras, and Alexal
Cleo. Where is he ? *
Char. I did not fee him iince.
Cleo. See where he is, who's with hiin> what he
does : —
I did not fend you ; ' — If you find him fad.
Say, I am dancing ; if in mirth, report
That I am fudden lick : Quick, and return.
[Exit Aiix.
Char. Madam, methinks, if you did Ioyc lum
dearly.
You do not hold the method to enforce
The like from him.
Cleo. What fhould I do, I do ix^}
Char. In each thing give him way, crofi him
in nothing.
Cleo. Thou teacheft like a fool : the way tolofc
him.
Char. Tempt him not fo too far: I wiih, for-
bear ;
In time we hate that which we often fear.
> Where ithef] The prefent defea of metre might be tuffSA
by reading :
Where is he now f
So, in Macbeth : " The thane of Rfc had a wife; where islk
fmv?" Steevens.
3 I did not fend you \ — ] You muft go as if you came wiriwrf
my order or knowledge. Joh nson.
So, in Troilus and CreJJtda :
** We met by chance i you did not find me hut/'
MlLOVfe
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
43S
Eu/fT Antony.
But here comes Antony.
Cleo* I am fick, and fullen.
Ant* I am foriy to give breathing to my pur-
pofe,—
CiBO* Help me away^ dear Charmian, I fhalj
fall;
It cannot be thus long, the fides of nature
Wilt not fuftain it/
Ant* Now, my dearefl queen, —
Cleo^ Pray you, (land further from me.
Ant. What's the matter !
CiEO. I know, by that fame eye, there's feme
good news.
What fays the married woman ? — You may go ^
'Would, iTie had never given you leave to come!
JLct her not fay, 'tis I that keep you here,
I have no power upon you j hers you arc.
Ant. The gods beft know, — -
Clmo* O, never was there quecii
So mightily betray 'd ! Yet* at the firft,
I faw the treafons planted.
Ant. Cleopatra, —
Cleo. Why fhould I think, you can be mine,
and true,
Though you in fwearing fiiake the throned gods,*
^ tht fides ^fnmuft
Willmt Jtfftain /^] So, in T'Wfiftb Nigki :
" There is no WQmznhfda
*« Can bMe ihc beating of fo ftrong a pafldon."
StE£V£NS«
' Though j^u m fwearmg Pake thf tkromi g^di^] So, in Timm
F f 2
436 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Who have been falfc to Fulvia? Riotous inadacfi]
To be entangled with thofc mouth-made vows.
Which break thcmfclves in Aveartng!
ANr* Moft fwcet queen,—
Cleo. Nay, pray you, feck no colour for your
going,
But bid farewell, and go : when you fued flaying.
Then was the time for words : No going then i^
Eternity was in our lips, and eyes;
Blifs in our brows* bent ; ' none our parts fo poor^
But was a race of heaven : * They are fo fliU,
Or thou, the greateft foldier of the worlds
Art turn*d the greateft liar*
Ant* How now, lady \
Cleo. I would, 1 had thy inches; thou fhould*ft
know.
There were a heart in Egypt-
Ant. Hear me, queen :
The ftrong neceflity of time commands
Our fer vices a whiles but my full heart
Remains in ufe ^ with you. Our Italy
** Although, I know, ymill fwear, terrihty fwcar,
*' Into ftrong Oiadders, and lo heavenly igtieSp
*' The immortal gods that hear you,*' SrEEV&ifS*
^ w ottt' brows' bent ;] i* c, in the arch of oar eye-browii
SOi in A'lfl^ ^oh^ :
** Why do yon hind fuch folemn tfvwf on mc V*
STB!Vtli%
* g racf pf hemjm:^ u c, had a fmack or flavour of ha*
Tcn, Wajiburtopt,
This word IS well explained by Dr. Warburton ; the ra» rf
wine is the tafte of the foil. Sir T. Hanmer, not tmderftanduig
the word, reads, ray. See Vol. IIL p. 19, n* t- Joa Ji&ox.
I am not furc that the poet did not mean, wai of kto'vtmfy wrtgit,
MALQUh
* Rffrmni in ufe ] The poet feems to aUude to the iegtl dit
lindion between the m/e and ahfiiuir p&ffejjim* J oh m 10 w*
p
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 437
Shines o*er with civil fwords : Sextos Pompeius
Makes his approaches to the port of Rome :
Equality of two domcftick powers
Breeds fcrupulous fadion : The hated, grown to
ftrength.
Are newly grow n to love : the condemn'd Pompey,
Rich in his father's honour, creeps apace
Into the hearts of fuch as have not thriv'd
Upon the prefentftate^ whofe numbers threaten;
And quietnefs, grown fick of reft, would purge
By any defperate change: My more particular.
And that which moft with you ftiould fafe my goings*
Is Fulvia's death,
Cleo» Though age from folly could not give mc
freedom.
It does from childifhnefs i — Can Fulvia die? '
The fame pbrafehas already occurred in T^ Merchant efFirnkt:
■f I am con tent » fo he will let me have
" The other half /ff 1/^* — -" Steevins*
^ _^mld fafe my g^iffgt] i* c* fhould rcjider my going not
d.ingerotis, not likcl}'- to produce any mifchicf to you. Mr,
Theobald inftead of fa/t^ the reading of the oJd copy, ynneceffariJy
/qfirmy going, is the tnic reading* So, in a fubfe^ucQt
fccnt, a foldier fiy^ to Enobaiboi :
*' Bell you/h/edth€ bringcr
« Out of the hoil/' Steevens,
» // dMs from childijhntfi : — Can Fuhia dief] That Fulvia wai
inaTtal^ Cleopatra could have no reafon to doubt i the raeaning
therefore of her queftion fcems to be ; — WiU thirt t^er ^<f an tnd
ef j&ur txmjes f At oftm ai you nj^sm w kirue me^ *wiii noifime Fui*
fvur, f&mt ntn/^ preiext ^ fimd firymr departure F She has alreadjr
iaid t!iat though age could not exempt her from follies^ at Icaft
it ffM* her from a childifli belief in all he fays, Stee vi ns.
I am inclined to think, that Cleopatra means no more than—
b it pofBble that Fulvia ftionld die ? I will not beUeve it,
RlTlOW,
Though age has not acempted me from folly, I am not.fo childifh,
as to haveapprehcnfions from a rival that is no morCp And h Fulvia
dgdindeeal Sugh^ I tbiujc, is the meaningt Mii^oi^A*
" '^ F f 1
438 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA-
Am. She's dead, my queen :
Look here, and, at thy fovereign leifure, read
The garboils flic awak'di^ at the laft, bcft:«
See, when^ and where (he died*
Cleo^ O mofl falfc love I
Where be thefacred vials thou ftiould*ft fill
With forrowful water?'' Now I fee, I fee, m^
In Fulvia's death, how mine receiv'd fliall be, S
Ant* Quarrel no more, but be prepared to know
The purpofcs I bear ; which are, or ceafe.
As you Ihall give the advice ; Now, by the fire,*
' Tkf |arboik^^ ^^ak*dy] u e, the comrootioa fiic occaiiof]ed«
The word is ufed by Hcywood, in Tht Rape i>Jf LmCftctM 1 65 S ;
" thon Tarquiti, doft alone furvivc,
" The head of alJ thofe garhoiksJ'
Again, by^Sianyhurft in hi$ translation of the llrft book of Vif^»
" Now manhood and garhot'ii I ch^unt and martial hm-
tor.
Again, in Jar vis Markham's Mnghjk Arcadia ^ 1 607 : ** Dap of
mourning by continuall garb^^iUs were, however, numberoi aod
cncreared/* The word is derived from the old Ffench^ritM^i
which Corgrave expbtns by kuriyhnrij, grmt fiirJ^ $TiBVtlCf»
In Cawdrey*fi Alphahtkd TahU 0/ hard IV^ris^ 8vo. 1604,
garh^ih is explained by the word hurljburly, Maloke*
* ui ike lafi^ heft ;] TKis conjugal tribute to the nKiaorT
of Fulvia, may be illiiftrated by Malcolm's elogiym oo ihc tb«
of Cawdor :
" p— — nothing tn his life
" Became him, like the leaving it," Stievius*
» Omoftffflfiigvil
When hf the fmndn^iQls thou fimUfl fill
With firtffvjfui nfjattrf\ Alluding 10 the lachf) 1011017 vJib*
or botilcs of tears » which the Romaiis fometimes put into the ara
of a friend, Joh nsox.
So, in the iirll aft of The Tnm NMe Kmfmem^ faid to bi
written by lleccher in conjunOion with Shakfpeare:
** Balms and gums, and heavy cheen,
' ' Sa£ red "viais fiWd <wi/h (mrs^ ** S T i B V £ Jl 1*
^ ^^Now, Bj ibe fre^ &c,] Sonac word, la the old copteii
I
1
I
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 439
That quickens Nilus* fllme, I go from hence^
Thy foldier, fervant; making peace^ or war.
As thou affeft'fl.
Cleo. Cut my lace, Charmian, come i —
But let it be. — I am quickly ill, and well :
So Antony loves.*
jIst. My precious queen, forbear;
And give true evidence to his iovc, which ftands
An honourable triatl.
Cleo, So Fulvia told me*
I pr'ythec, turn afide, and weep for her;
Then bid adieu to me> and fay, the tears
Belong to Egypt : * Good now, play one fcene
Of excellent diflcmbling; and let it look
Like per fed honour.
jfNT. You'll heat my blood ; no more.
Cif 0. You can da better yet; but this is meetly,
jInt, Now, by my fword, —
being here wanting to the metre, I have not fcrupled to mfert the
mdreih-^N&n^t on the auchoricy of the fol! owing pailage in A'/>^
y$Sii, as well as on th^t of many others la the dioerenc pieces of
our author :
'* iVmr, by the Hkj that hangs above our heads^
** 1 like It well ;^,'* Steevei^s.
> S& JffioBj kvff,] u ۥ uncertain as the ilate of my health ii
the love of Antony* St e E v e n s,
Ibelic\'cMr* Stcevens is right; yet before I read his note, I
thought the meaning to be, — " My fears quickly render me ill ;
and I am astjuickly well again, when 1 am convinced that Antony
has an affbeiion for me/' Sg, for> /to. If tMs be the Uue fcnft
of the pAflage^ it ought to \yc regulated thui ;
1 am quickly ill, — ^nd well again »
So Antony loves.
TbuSj in a fubfcqurnt fcene :
*' 1 would, thou didft;
" S& half my Eg)'pt were fubmerg'd," Malokk*
4 — Jto £^//;] To me, ihc queen of Egj'pt, JoH KSOH,
Ff4
440 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Cleo. And target, — Still he mendi;
But this is not the bcft : Look, pr*ythee, Charmian,
How this Herculean Roman* does become
The carriage of his chafe.
Af^Tn 1*11 leave you, lady.
Clko. Courteous lord, one word.
Sir, you and I muft part^ — but that*s not it :
Sir, you and I have lov'd, — but there's not it ;
That you know well : Something it is I would,^
O, my oblivion is a very Antony,
And I am all forgotten.*
* Herculean Rt^man — ] Antony traced his dcfcoit froio
Affton, a fon of HercjiUs^ Steevej^s.
* 0, wry M^iaji u a iffiy Aaionj^
And I am ail forget Un A Cleoptra has fomeihiflg to (iTt
which feems ro be fupprefled d/ forrow ; and aficr many altera ^^
to produce her meaning, fhe cries out : O, ihh Mrvtam mrwmy 4f
ttiinc it at falfi and trfachtrQUi to me at Animy //* ^^*^ ^ fi''^^ *^'7
ihi/fg^ Oi/ivm^ I bcUevCt is boldly ufed for « mem§i^ mfi n ir
deifitfui*
If too much latitude be taken in thii* explanation p weiiii|lit
witb little violence read* as Mr. Edwards has propo&d m lui MSb
notes :
Qk me ! eMtvhir k a t^tfy Aniof^^ &c, St exv e 3f s.
Perhaps nothing more is neccflhty here ihan a change of
tuation lOmyt Being iHll an cxcbmation frequently ufed £a ^
weft of England, Henley,
Oh my^ — in the provincial fenfe of U^ ii only an bitpcrfefl tL*
clamation of — Ok my God t The decent exclaimer alwxp ftopf
before the f«crcd name is pronounced. Could fuch an exdaiaatioa
therefore have been uttered by the Pagan Ckopatra ? Stiitiiti*
The fcnfe of the paflage appears to me to be this- " O, a^
oblivion p as if it were another Antony, poflfeflcs me fo encbd^«
that I quite forget myfelf/' M, Mason.
I have not the fmalleft doubt that Mr, Scecvena'sexpljmaiidnof
this p^^^ isjuft, Dr* Johnfon lays^ that ** it was her tatmasff
not ner oblivion, that like Anionyj was forgetting and deferiiif
her," It certainly was ; it was her oUrym$ memory^ as Mr* Stee?c5«
has well interpreted it; and the licence i* much in oiif ainbori
pinner. Malokc,
{
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, 441
Ant. But that your royalty
Holds idlenefs your fubjed, I fhould take you
For idlenefs itfelf/
Cleo. 'Tis fweating labour.
To bear fuch idlenefs fo near the heart
As Cleopatra this. But, fir, forgive me ;
Since my becomings kill me,^ when they do not
Eye well to you : Your honour calls you hence ;
Therefore be deaf to my unpitied folly.
And all the gods go with you ! upon your fword
* Biti that jQur fujaltjf
MM idltnejs jsur Juhjeif, I fiauU mh jm
Fcr idhmji itfdfS\ i, e. But that your charms hold me^ <w/la am .
the greatdt foal mmnh^ in chaim^ I Jhould h£pvt adjudged jnu H hi
iht grcatcft. That this h the fenfe is {hown by her aafwer :
*Tit fvtrminp /a6o&r.
To hear fuch idlenefs fo near the hcarr.
At Ckopatra thh^ W a R 8 tJ k To N.
0n Warburton's explaaation is 4 very coarfc one. The icnfc
m%Y be V — Bui that jmt queenjhip chocfii idktitjt fir thf /ubJfB &f
y^ur aim;€r/athn^ J Jhauld take jou fir (dlenr/s Hfilfi So Wcbftcr
(who was often n clofe imitator of Shakf|>e3re) in his Vimrm C^rom*
'■ how idh am I
'* To r^uefiim my own idlenefin
Or an antithefin may be defigned between rojahy and fidtje^^^^
M»i thai I hmfm^ym io he a queen , and that y^ur royalty holds idlentft
m Juhjedkn t& you^ exaiting you Jar ah&ve its iftfimeftcc^ I Jhmld
Jup^ft you tQ he the 'very geftms of idle fiefs itfelf, Steevens,
Mr< Steeveiis's latter interpietation is, I think, nearer the truth.
But perhaps 7e*r/v^/>^ rather means, whom being in fubjedioQ
to yon, )'oa can command at pica fu re, " 10 do your biddings" to
afDimc the airs ofcoquctr)% ^c. Were not this coquet one of your
aiiendants, 1 ihould fuppofe you yourfelf were thia capriciouft
htis^g. M ALONE-
1 Zme my becomings kill me,] There is fonwiwhat of obfcunty
In this cjcpreflion. In the iirft fcenc of the play Antony had called
htti
" —^- wrangling qneen,
" Whom every thing hecomesJ*
It u to thli^ perhaps, that fhe alludes.
STI£V£lfl«
442 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA*
Sit laurerd vidory 1 ^ and fmooth fuccefs
Be ftrew*d before your feet!
Ant. Let us go. Comer
Our feparation fo abides, and flies,
That thou, refiding here/ go* ft yet with me.
And I> hence fleeting, here remain with thee.
Away. [Exeuni.
SCENE IV.
Rome. An Apartment in Caefar's bou/e.
Enter OcTAvms CjEsar, Lepidus, and AiiendoMtu
CjEs, You may fee, Lepidus, and henceforth know,
It is not Csefar's natural vice to hate
One great competitor : "* From Alexandria
This is the news ; He fiflie^, drinks, and waftcs
1 faurftd n>iBofy /J Thus the feconc! folia. The macamre
pf cdeccflbr of it— /<7ffr^7 vidorf, S T E even s.
^ Thai thou ^ refiding hfte, &x,] This conccit might have b«ea
faggcHcd by the following paflkge in Sidnc)^ s Arcadin, B. I :
** She went they ftaid ; or, rightly for to fay,
" She Haid with them, they went in thought witli her."
Sticvivi,
^ One great camfellior ;] FerhapSf Our great competitor
Johnfon h certaittly right in his conjc^ure that we ought to
read, *' 0;ar^ real competitor/* as this fpeech is addrefled to Lrpidiis
his partner m the empire, C&m^^tkur means here, as it 4oa
wherever the word occurs in Shakfpcare, affkiate or forfmn Sn
Mcnas fays ;
" ITiefe three world- (harcrs, thcfc camfitii^n^
" Are in ihy vefleK"
And again, C^far, fpeaking of Antony, fays
*' That thou, my brother, my cQmfetit^r^
" In top of all defign, my mate in empire**^ M- Ma low.
ANTONY AND CLtOPATRA, 443
The lamps of night in revel: is not more manlike
jfThan Cleopatra ; nor the queen of Ptolemy
More womanly than he : hardly gave audience, or
(Vouchfaf d to think he had partners:^ You fiiall
' find there
A man^ who is the abfl:rat5lof all faults
|That all men follow,
I Lep. I muft not thinkj there are
lEvils enough to darken all his goodnefs :
[Jils faults, in him, feem as the fpots of heaven^
More fiery by night's blacknefs ; ^ hereditary.
FBKchfaf*dto think he hud partners r^ The irregularity of metre
in the firft of thefc Jines, induces me to fuppofe the fecond ongu
[ niUy and dlipticaUy ftood thus ;
I, Or vouchfard think he had partners &c,
I So, in Cjmhdiitf, Vol. XII L p, 69:
" Will force him think I have pick'd the lock" &c.
Vlt U thinks St e e v t: ns.
i m the fp9ts of ht^ruen^
Mare fitry hy night's hkckaefi ;] If by Ipots arc meant ftan, as
night has no other fiery fpois, the compnrifon ti forced and harih,
liars having been always fuppofcd to beautify the night ; nor do I
comprehend what there is in the counterpart of this firailc, whicfi
aafwers to night's blacknefs. Hanmcr reads :
fpoti on ermine,
O r fires , hy night $ htscknefs^ ] o h k b o n •
The meaning fcems to be — ^As ihe ftars or fpots of heaven are
[ fsot obfcured, but rather renderetl more bright, by the blacknefs
of the night, fo neither is the goodnefs of Antony ecHp^ by his
evil qualities, but, on the contrary^ his faults feem enlarged and
I aggravated by his virtues^
Tliat which anfwers to the hlackntfi of the mighty in the counter-
paurt of the fimile, is Jtmny's goodftrfi^ His goodnefs is a ground
which gives a relief to his faults, and makes them Hand out more
prominent and confpicuous.
It is objeitied, that (tars rather beautify than deform the ntght*
But ibc poet confnlcTS them here only with refpet^ to %)x^\t pramifiemtt
4md fpieitdaur. It is fufiicient for him that their fcintillations appear
Wronger in confequcnce of darknefs, as jewels aie more refpkndent
ott a black ground than on any other, — That th^ jtrsmiuence sad.
444 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Rather than purchased ; ' what he cannot change.
Than what he choofes.
Cms* You are too indulgent ; Let us grants itii
not
Amifs to tumble on the bed of Ptolemy;
To give a kingdom for a mirth ; to fit
And keep the turn of tippling with a (lave (
To reel the ftreets at noon, and ftand the buffet
With knaves thatfmellof fweat; fay^ thisbccomci
him,
(As his compofure muft be rare indeed,
Whom thefe things cannot blemilh/ J yet muft An-
tony
Jl^hndmr of the ftars were alone in Shakrpearc*« contonplitunit
atppcars from a puffagc in Hamiet^ where a itmilar iboa^bt is kj»
equivocally exprcfs'd ;
" Your Mil ihall, like a ikr i' the darkdl night,
*' Stkk pry off indc€il/*
A kiodftd thought occurs in Kim H^ty V:
** — though the troth of u (UnJsoffaiigrofs
•* As blacE from white, my eye will fcafccly fee it."
Agaioj in Ki^g H^nty IK P, I :
" And like bright metal on a fuHcn ground,
it My teformation, glittering o'er my fault,
'• Shall (how more goodly^ and anrad more eyes*
*' Than that which hath no foil to fct it off/' Ma love*
> ^-^furchm'dt] Procured by hit own fault or cud^Your.
^ fajf ihh ^ecamts him^
(Ai hh cnmp^furt mufi be rare mdted,
Wh&m thtjt ihmgs emmot &Umi/l,}] This feeroi iacoi&fci|ueflt i
I read :
And hii comjf^fure &c.
Grant ihat thh Becomes him, and if It tan iiC4me him, he wwfikm^
m him fomeihiftg n>efy uHCQmmnw^ yeU ^e* Johkson,
Though the conftr uiflion of thi* paflage, as Dr* johnfoit ofc*
fcrvcs, appears harfh^ there Is, I behcvc, no torrupdon. Im M
Tou Like li, wc meet with chc fame kind of phrafcoiogy :
** - - what though you ^^a^v beauty,
•* {Am by my faith 1 fee no more in you
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 445
No way excufe his foils,* when we do bear
So great weight in his lightnefs.^ If he fill*
His vacancy with his voluptuoufnefs.
Full forfeits, and the drynefs of his bones,
*' Than without candle may go dark to bed.)
** Muft you be therefore proud and pitilefs?"
See Vol » VI, p, ii8, n. ^. Malone.
* No ^vaj e3t€ufe his foils,] The old copy has— ^/^/, For the
emendation now made I am anfwerable* In the Mfs* of our autiior*s
time f and fare often undiftinguilhable, and no two letters are fo
often confounded At the prefs, Shakfpeare has fo regularly ufcd
this word in the fenfe required here* tliat ilicre cannot, I ima-
gine, be the fmalleft doubt of the juitnei* of this emendation*
So* in Hamkt :
" — and no/w/, norcautel, doth bcfmirch
*' The virtue of his will/'
Again, in Lo^e't Lair's Lofi :
*• The only >// of his fair virtue's gloft*"
Again, in Mea/ure fir Meafure :
" Who is as free from touch et fiil with her,
'* As ihe from one ungot.'*
Again, ikd:
'* My MttfiitJ nmntt the auftcrenefs of my life*"
Again, in King Hmry IF^ P. II :
" For all thc/tff/ of the acchievement goes
** With me into the earth**'
In the laA ad of the pla^^ before us we find an exprcffton neifly
fyaonymoiis ;
** — His tamts and honours
*' Wag'd equal in him,"
Again, in A^ II. fc* iil :
** Read not my hltmijha in the world's reports/*
Maloke.
\t fmh be inadmiffible (which I queftion) we might read-^
failu In The WmierU Tak wc meet with this fubftantive, which
£gnifies omlffion, or non^performancc :
** Mark, and perform it. Sce'il thou ? for the fail
** Of any point in*t, ihaU not only be
" Death to thyfelf,'' S:c,
Yet, oa the whole, I prefer Mr- Malone's conje^luxc,
* S$ grrai mieight m hti light ttt/s.^ The word light is one of
Shakfpeare's ^vourite play-things. The fenfe b. His IriHing
levicy throws fo much burden upon us« Johmoki
446 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA,
Call on him for't:' but, to confound fuch time/
That drums him from his fporr, and fpeaks as loud
As his own ft ate, and ours, — 'tis to be chid
As we rate boys ; who, being mature in knowledge,*
Pawn their experience to their prefent pleafure.
And fo rebel to judgement.
Enter a Meflenger,
Lep. Here's more news*
Mes, Thy biddings have been done; and cvcif
hour,
Moft noble C^far, fhalt thou have report
How 'tis abroad. Pompey is ftrong at fea ;
And it appears, he is belov'd of thofe
That only have feared Csefar : * to the ports
The difcontents repair,' and men's report*
Give him much wrong'd.
' Ciii! <m him fi/t :] Cail w htm. Is, t/t^i him^ Sm C^St
If Antany foilmuid hh ithauchtrUt ni a time nfleijute^ I jioidiiimM
km U he pmiijhtd hy thttr udtural cmfiquences^ by fur^ts #i^ dij
bones, JOHNSON*
® is confound yS»fj& tim^^ See p, 412, 11, 2* Maloke,
9 - bm ; If j&fi, hemg maiurc bt kn^mfifige^^ For tliw Hui*
flier, wbo tnoaght the matunty of a % an incocifiltent tdtai bai
put;
fwho^ immature i/r knemihdge :
bm the words fxpfrffjice zn^ judgement reqairc that we read tmimw:
tbough Dr. Warburron has received the emcndatjoo. By k^s «»-
iure in kno^Udgt^ are meant* boys qM tmugh ia kito^w ikfir dmiym
* Thai oniy hm^fiar^d dtfar :] Thofc whom not ^w bat f^i
made adherents to (5a;far, now fhow their a^ition for Pomp^*
* The di/conUntt repair,] That b, the malecmientu So, UkMm
NfMty IK P* I :
** ' that may pkafe the eye
'* Of fickle changelings and poor dj/c&nimiu**
See Vol. VIII. p. 567, n, f, MALONi,
7
1
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, 447
Cms, I fliould have known no lefs :—
It hath been taught us from the primal ftate^
That he, which is, was wifh'd^ until he were;
And the ebb'd man, ne'er lov'dj till ne'er worth
!ove,
Comes dear'd, by being lack'd.^ This common
body.
Like to a vagabond flag upon the ftream,
Coes to, and back, lackeying the varying tide.
To rot itfelf ^ with motion,*^
^ - — ^f^ ivhkh iSt nvat luifi'd^ mfil he merf ;
^nd the thh*d man^ nt*er h^*d^ till n/tr nuorih /^n^,
C&mesdait*dt ty hfixg kch'd*] [Old copy-— ^^arV,] Let US ex*
amiiie the fcnfe of this [as it ftood] in plam profe. The earlieji
hiflariet infirm m, thai ihe man m Jupreme command *wm ahv/jyi
'wt^^d is gsin thai command B tiii he h<jd okmnd in And he ^ ^hom
the muhitrnde has cofitenfedly /ten in n i&w c^nditim^ <when he hegttts
to he *wsjfied hy themt hecomet i& he ifear'd hj them. But do the
mv^ntoA^fear a man becaufc they waat him f Certain ly* we muft
icad;
Csm^i dear'd^ hy hemg Iark*d^
1. c, cndear'd, a fevourite to them* Beftdesj the context requires
thii folding; for it was not fear, but love, that made the people
flock to young Pompcy^ and what occtHoned thia reflexion > 5o,
in C^minniii :
** I fhall be /cp^V, when T am lack^dJ"* Warburto!!,
The corret^ioQ was made in Theobald's edition, to whom it wai
cooiiounicated by Df» Warburton* Something, however, is y^i
wantingp What is the meaning of — '^ ne*cr lov'd till ne*er worth
love V' I fuppofe that the fecond //f'rrwas inadvertently repeated at
the prcfs, and that we ibould read — till n^i worth love.
Maloni,
f ^^^ rpf itfelf ] The word — 'ffilft is* I believe, an in-
terpolation, being wholly nfelefs to the lenfCi and injurious to the
meafure* S t e t v e \ s.
* Gfirx io, a/td hack, lackeying the <tmfjwg iide^
Te roi itjeifmith mQiion.'] TOId CQ^f—laJhing] But how can
a flag, or ru(b, floating upon a ftream » and that has no motion but
what the fiu^tuation ofthe water gives it, be faid to lalh the tide ?
This is makini^ a fcourgc of a weak ineflfe^ftivc ihin^, and giving
it an a^ive violence in its own power, 'Tis true, there is no fenfc
in the old reading; but the addition of a ftngle letter will not only
448 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA,
Mes. Caefar, I bring thee word,
Menecrates and Menas, famous pirates.
Make the fea fcrve them; which they car* and
wound
With keels of every kind : Many hot inroads
They make in Italy; the borders maritime
Lack blood to think on't^^ and flufh youth ' revolts
No veflel can peep forth, but 'tis as foon
Taken as feeii; for Pompey's name ftrikes more.
five tss good fenfc, but the genuicie word of our author into As
argaiti:
Lackeying iifc 'varying tide,
i* c. fl52ririg backwards and forw^ards witb the variation of the
tide, like a page, or lackej^ ai his matter's heels, Theobald,
Theobald's conje^ure may be fupported by a paffaiic in die ififc
book of Chapman's Iran flat ion of Homer's Odjff^:
" who would willingly
*• LacJ^jf along fo vaft a late of brine V*
Agaiii^ in his verfion of the z^th MW*-
*' My guide to Argos either fhlpM or iatfymghy thy Me?
Again* in the Prologue to the fccond part of Jftiam amd Mti-
iidag i6oz :
" O that our power
*' Could laeky or keep pace with our defircil"
Again, in Tht ^whoie magmjk^t enurtmitmrni given to ktiig
lames, queen Anne his wife* kt. March 15^ 160J, 1^ Thomai
Decker, ^to, 1604: ** The minutes (that kchj the heeki rf
time) run not fafler away than do our joyes/'
Perhaps anmher mrfefrgcr ihQ\M be noted here* as enteiiag with
frefti news* Steev^ns,
* n^thkh thej ear ] To tar^ is to fhugh ; a comiooii
metaphor. Johnson*
To €ar^ is not, however, at this time, a cotumon word* I mc^
with it again in Turbervile's Fakmr^y ' H J •
'* becaufe I have a larger field to rsr/*
See alfo Vol. VL p. 216, n* 7* Steevens,
? Latk hloQd iQ ihmk Qnt^ Turn pale at the thought of it*
JoiiNftOt.
' — and fluibj^^ft^^ — ] Flujk youth is youth ripened to ouik
hood ; jtmih whofe blood is at the flow. So, in Timm 0/ JiSm •
*' Now the lime i*/j^y55,^/* Ste6VEK8, '
1
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 449
Tban could his war refiftcd,
Cms> Antony,
Leave thy lafcivious waiTels.^ When thou once
Waft beaten from Modena, where thou flcw*ft
Nirtius and Panfa, confu)s, at thy heel
pid famine follow ; whom thou fought'fl: againft^
Though daintily brought up, with patience more
Than favages could fuffer: Thou didfl drink
The ftale of horfcs,* and the gilded puddle*
Which hearts would cough at : thy palate then did
deign
The rougheft berry on the rudeft hedge ;
Yea, like the rtag, when fnow the pal¥ure flieets.
The barks of trees thou browfed'ft ; on the Alps,
It is reported, thou didfl eat ftrangeflefh.
Which fome did die to look on : And all this
I It wounds thine honour, that I fpeak it now, J
was borne fo like a foldier, that thy cheek
€0 much as lank'd not.
Lepm It is pity of him«
Cms* Let his ihamcs quickly
Drive him to Rome: 'Tis time we twain*
• ■ ihj iafchihu$ waflcls*] Waft! is here put for intemperance
m general. For a more particular account of the word, fee Mm*
kew^ Vol, VII, p, 396, n. 4. The old copy* however, rcadi-^
pmffkiiett St e £ v e N s .
FqffkUht without queftlon, the true reading, Henliy.
* Tkmdidftdrhi
neft^h of h^rfii^] All ihefe circnmlhnces of Antony's dif*
(Ifefs, arc taken literaUy from PluDrch, Steiviks,
> giidfd puddle — ] There is fretjaently obferrable on the
furface of lUgnant pools that have remained long undifturbcd, 2
tiediUfh gold coloured Qime : to this appearance the poet here refers^
HENLiY*
4 Drrve him m R&mf : 'Tit time ttv t^ofiiin t^r,] The defert of
rtbc metre induces me to IkIIcvc that fome word haj* been inadver**
fteotly omitted « Perhaps our author wrote :
Drive him to Rome di/^rac'd: 'Tis time wc cwiln^ SfC,
Vot. XIL G g
4SO ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Did Ihow ourfelves i' the field ; and, to that end,
Aflemble we immediate council : * Pompey
Thrives in our idlenefs.
Lep. To-rtiorrow, Caefar,
I fhall be furni(h*d to inform you rightly
Both what by fea and land I can be able.
To 'front this prefent time.
Cms. Till which encounter.
It is my bufinefs too. Farewell.
Lep. Farewell, my lord : What you fliall know
mean time
Of ftirs abroad, I fhall befeech you, fir.
To let me be partaker.
So^ in AA III. fc. xi :
♦* So (he
•' From Egypt i/iwr her alWjyJrar^i/ friend." Maloitk*
I had rather perfcfl this defcftive line, by the infertion of an ad^
Terb which is frequently ufed by our author, and only enforces wbac
he apparently de£gned to fay, than by the introdudion of an epi->
thet which he might not have chofen. I would therefore read :
*Tis time indeed lue fwaln
Didjhdfw ourfel'ves &c. Steevens.
* Affemble we immediate council :'\ [Old copy — aHemble jwr.J
Shakfpeare frequently ufes this kind of phrafeology, but I do not
recoiled any inflance where he has introduced it in folemn dialogueai
where one equal is fpeaking to another. Perhaps therefore the
corredlion made by the editor of the fecond folio is right : Aflem*
ble otr, ScQ. So afterwards :
" — Haftc ive for it :
" Yet, ere we put ourfelves in arms, difpatch w/," &c»
Since this note was written, I have obferved the fame phraieo-
logy ufed by our poet in grave dialogue. See Troiim and Creffida,
Aa III. fc. iii :
*' A ftrange fellow here
«' Writes me, that man, however dearly parted," &c.
Malone.
I adhere to the reading of the fecond folio. Thus« in Karg
Henfy IV. P. 11. King Henry V. fays :
*< Now call ^w€ oar high coart of parliament/' STiEViNt*
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 451
Cms. Doubt not, fir ;
I knew it for my bond.^ [Exeunt.
SCENE V.
Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.
JBn/^r Cleopatra, Charm IAN, Iras, ^^»^Mardiah*
Cleo. Charmian, —
Chjir. Madam.
Cleo. Ha, ha! —
Give me to drink mandragora.'
CHAJt. Why, madam ?
» Cleo. That I might fleep out this great gap of
time.
My Antony is away.
• I kfunuit for ixpr bond,] That is, to be my bouodeo
do^. M. Mason.
7 '^—^mandragara.'] A plant of which the infuiion was foppofed
la procure ileep. Shakfpeare mentions it in Othello :
** Not poppy, nor mandragora^
•• Nor all the drowfy fyrups of the world,
•* Shall ever med'cine tliee to that fwect fleep — •"
JOHMSOV.
So, lia Webfter's Dutchefs of Malfy^ 1 623 :
** Come violent death,
*' Serve for mandragora^ and make me fleep/' Stibybks,
Gerard, in his Herbal, fays of the mandragoras : ** Diofcorides
dodi particularly fet downe many faculties hereof, of which not-
withttanding there be none proper unto it, fave thofe that depend
npon the drowfie and fleeping power thereof. '^
In AdKngton's Apule'ms (of which the epiftle is dated i ^S6)
vqwinted 163^, 4to, bl.l. p. 187, lib, 10: ''I eavehim nopoy^i
fbo, bat a dolmg drink of mandragoras ^ which is of fuch force, that
it win caufe any man to flcepe, as though he were dead." Perct.
See alfo Flinft Nat. Hift. by Holland, 1601, and Plutarch* t
Vvrali, t6o2, p. ig. Ritbon.
Gg2
453 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Chjr. You think of him
Too much.
Cleo. O, trcafon ! '
Chjr. Madam, I truft, not ib.
Cleo. Thou, eunuch! Mardian!
MjiR. What's your highncfs* pleafuit!
Cleo. Not now to hear thee fing; I take no
pleafare
In aught an eunuch has : 'Tis well for thee.
That, being unfeminar'd, thy freer thoughCs
May not fly forth of Egypt. Haft thou affedtions?
Mar. Yes, gracious madam.
Cleo. Indeed?
Mar. Not in deed, madam; for I caa do no-
thing
But what in deed is honeft to be done :
Yet have I fierce afFcftions, and think^
What Venus did with Mars.
Cleo. O Charmian>
Where think*ft thou he is now ? Stands he, or fitr he?
Or does he walk ? or is he on his horfe ?
O happy horfe, to bear the weight of Antony!
Do bravely, horfe ! for wofft thou whom thou
mov'ft?
The demi-Atlas of this earth, the arm
And burgonet of men." — He's fpeaking now.
Or murmuring, fVb^re's myferpent of old Nilet
' O, trea/ott!'] Old copy, coldly and anmetrically^^-
" O, '///treafoni" Steevens.
* And burgonet ofmen.^'\ A hmrgowet ii a kind of icAHfc S%
in King Henry VI :
*« This day I'll wear aloft my hurgtmi**
Again, in The Birth of Merlin, 1662 :
'• This, bv the gods and my good fnTord, I'll fit
** In bloody lines upon thy burgomi.'* Stebvbkk
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 453
For fohe calls mc ; Now I feed myfelf
With molt delicious poifon: — Think on me,
That am with Phcebus' amorous pinches black,
And wrinkled deep in time? Broad-fronted C^far^'
When thou waft here above the ground, I was
A morfcl for a monarch; and great Pompey
Would ftand, and make his eyes grow in my brow^ ;
There would he anchor his afped/ and die
With looking on his lite,
Enier Alixas^
Alex* Sovereign of Egypt, hail !
Cleo. How much unlike art thou Mark Antony !
Yet, coming from him, that great medicine hath
With his tincT: gilded thee.' —
How goes it with my brave Mark Antony ?
Alex, Laft thing he did, dear queen.
He kifs'd, — the laft of many doubled kiiTes, —
This orient pearl ; — His fpeech fticks in my heart,
9 Brmd'fmntfd Ca^far^ Mr* Scward ii of opinioiit tint
the poet w mit^bniJfrmttd C^fa r^ S t e i v e n $.
— .— Eroai-f rented ^ i n all u fion to C acfar's bald ocfs. H i n l i t»
* anchor hh fifp£iiy\ So, in Mtafxrr fir Meafurt :
^' Whilft my invention > hearing not my tongue,
*' ^tfrjfri»r/ on Ifiibd/* Steevins,
3 w — ^- that great medicine hath
With hit tifid giiJrd th^*] Alluding to tlie philofophcr's ft one,
whichj by its touch, converts bafc metal into gold. The alchcmifli
call the matter, whatever it be, by which they perform traufinu-
tatton J a mediattf^ Johnson*
Thus Chapman, in his Sh^dmj^ of Ntght^ '594 *
*' O then, thoa great elixir of all treafures/*
And on this paiTagche hai the followmg note: *• The phiJofo-
pher*s ftonc, or phihjhphkti medidm, is called the gnat Elixir^ la
which be here ailudea^*' Thus> ia The Chan<mei Ttmnnnn Tmh of
Chaucer, Mr* Tyrwhitt's edit. v. 16330:
" ^thc philofophrc's ftonc,
" Eiixir cicpcd, we fekcn fall cchc on»**
Sec VoL IIL p» 159* n. 7* Steeven*.
G g 3
4i4 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Cleo. Mine ear muft pluck it thence,
J LEX. Good friend, quoth he^
Say, ibefirm Roman to great Egypt fends
Tbis ireafureofan oyjier; aiwbofofmt^
To mend ibe petty pre/en t^ I wilt piece
Her opulent throne with kingdoms i All the eaji.
Say thou, /ba/I call her miftrefs. So he nodded.
And foberly did mount a termagant fteed,^
' termagant 7?^^i/j] Old copy — ^rm^gauful he. his ftced
worn lean nnd thin by much fervice in war. So, Fairfax ;
** His /tfZ^-iter;i* deed the champion ftout beftrode."
WAHiUETOJf*
On this note Mr, Edwards has been very laviiTi of his pkafantry,
and indeed has juitly ccnftired the mifquotation of ^a//-'Tucnir> for
^ait-'wQrd, which means firt^^g^ but makes no attempt to explalit
'the word in ihc pla\% Mr, Savard, in his preface to Beaumont
and Fletcher, ha^v very daboratcly cndeavonrcd to prove, that an
firm^pauni fteed is a ftced with tntn fi^tttdtn. Arm is the Teutonic
word for tvant^ or p^ivr/j* Arm-gm^i may be therefore an oUl
word, lignifying, Itafi for tvattft ill fed. Edwards's obfervation,
that a wom-out iiorfc 1$ not proper for Atlas to mount in battle,
is imperrinent; ihehorfc here mentioned feems robe a poR-horfc,
rather tJian a war-horfe. Yet as orm-gaunt fcems not intended to
imply any defed, it perhaps means, a norfc fo llcnder that a maa
might clafp him, and therefore formed for expedition, Hanmer
leads:
a rm- gi ft ^W, Jo H N so K .
On this pa^Tage, which I believe to be corrupt, I have jiothing
faiisfafiory to propofe* It is cleat, that whatever epithet was
ufed, it was intended as dcfcriptive of a beautiful horfc, fuch (wc
Tliay prcfumc) as our author has dcfcrifsed in hi* Fenttt ^ni Ad'mit^
Dr< Johnfon muft have look'd into fome early edition of Mr,
Edwards's book, for in his firventh edition be has this note: " I
have fomctimes thought, that the meaning may pofllbly be, ihm^
Jhmytrd^ by a ftrange eompofition of Latin and EngUfh i^gmtmt
quoad armm* * * M a L o n e *
I fuppofe there muft be fomc error in the plfage, and fhould
amend it by reading
And foberly did mount a ittfrntgrnti fteed.
That neigh *d ^c.
T^wmfigunt means furims* So Douglas, in Henry iV^ \% called
the urmagmn Scot, an epithet thfti agrees well with ihe flecd i
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 455
Who neigh'd fohigh, that what I would have fpokc
Was beaftly dumb'd by him.*
Cleq. What, was he fad, or merry ?
Alex. Like to the time o* the year between the
extremes
Of hot and cold ; he was nor fad, nor merry,
Cleo. O well-divided difpoiition!— Note him.
Note him, good Charmian, *tis the man; but note
him":
He was not fad ; for he would (hinc on thofe
That make their looks by his : he was not merry 1
Which fcem'd to tell them, his remembrance lay
fidghing fo high* Be fides, by frying thut Antony mounted com*
pofcdly a horfe offucii mctdc, Akxas prefents Cleopatra with a
fiattcnng ima^c of her hero, which his m on n ting flowly a jaded
poft-horfc, would not have done, M. Masok*
When I firlt met with Mr, Miiibn s conje^ure, I own I was
(briled it its buKinef^ ; but that I have fincc been reconciled to ir,
iu appearance in the prefent text of Shakfpeare will iuffidently proi*e-
It ought 10 be obicrvcd, in defence of tbb emendation, that the
word f^rma^atffft ((jriginally the proper name of a clamorous i>3fa'
cenical deity) did not, without pafEng through feveral gradation*
of meaning, become appropriated (as at prefent) to a turbulent fc*
nuic^^ — I may add» that the fobricry difplay'd by Atitony in
mounting a ftccd of temper fo oppofitc, reminds us of a fimilar
cantraft m Addifon^s celebrated comparifon of the Angel :
** Cai^ and frrffie he drives the furious blait/'
Let the cri tick who can fumifh a conjecture, nearer tk^xi termagnunt
to the traces of the old reading arm^gaani, or can make any change
prodadtve of £tn^i^ orore appofire and commodious, difplacc Mr*
M. Mafon's amendment, which, in my opinion, is to be numbered
among ihcffiinur audffni/i of criticifm, and meets at Icaft with my
ow n uneq u i^'ocal appti^bationi iiTE£VE?jR.
^ Wm hgiifily dumb'd hy l/w.] The old copy has dumhe^ The
corrcilion was made by Mr* Theobald, •• Alexas means {^2.y^
he,) the horfe made fuch a neighing, that if he had fpoke, be could
nat have been heaidt*' Malo^je.
The verb which Mr,. Theobald would mtroducc* b found i4
PnkUi Frim* <f Tyre^ 1 609 :
" Peep clerks flic ^iv^«^/" &c, Steeviws,
G S 4
456 41^T0NY AND CLEOPATRA.
In Egypt with his joy : but between both :
0 heavenly mingle ! — Be' ft thou fad, or merry,
The violence of either thee becomes;
So does it no man eiie, — Met'll thou my pofts?
Alex* Ay, madam, twenty feveral me JTengert:
Why do you fend fo thick ? *
Cl£0. Who's born that day
When I forget to fend to Antony^
Shall die a beggar, — Ink and paper, Charmian,—
Welcome, my good Alexas. — Did I, Charmian,
Ever love Caefar fo ?
Char* O that brave C^far!
Cleo, Be chok'd with fuch another emphalis!
Say* the brave Antony,
Char* The valiant Caefar!
CiEo. By Ifis, I will give thee bloody teeth.
If thou with Caefar paragon again
fdy man of men.
Char* By your moft gracious pardon,
1 fing but after you.
Cleo, My fallad days i
When I was green in judgement ; — Cold in blood,
To fay, as I laid then ! ^ — But, come, away ;
Get me ink and paper: he fhall have every day
A fevcral greeting, or 111 unpeople Egypt,^ [Ex^tmL
f — y& thick?] ]. e. in fuch quick fucceffiaiu So^m Mttdni s
' ** ^^ As iifkk as talc,
" Came p^ft with poft, — /'
Sec VoU VII, p, 354» n. 9. Stievcwi.
• Mj f&Uad ditys I
When I 'wm greeM in judgment :^Ctitd in hhcdt
Tq /ejj^ at I /aid thtjt f'\ Cdd h Und^ is an upbriidlji^ expd^
mktion vo her iBiiid. Thoie^ fkys fhe, m^n my Jallad d^i^ «M4nr
/ *wm green in judgment \ bNt j^nr hi^ « ^s t&ld m myjifdgmfm, tf
jm ha^f ike fame e^imm&fiktfgs n&^ m i had then, Wara v&tok.
1 ^j^^mprnfit %r//'] By lending out loefleDgtii* JojivioSt
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 457
A C T II. S C E N E I.
I
I
I
Meflina. J Room in Pompey's HQu/e.
Enter Pompey, Menecrates, and Mevas/
Pqm\ If the great gods be juft^ they ihall aflTift
The deeds of jufteft men,
Mene. Know, worthy Pompey^
That what they do delay^ they not deny.
PoM^ Whiles we are fuitors to their throne^ de-
cays
The thing we fue for.*
Mene. We, ignorant of ourfelves.
Beg often our own harms, which the wife powers
Deny us for our good j fo find we profit.
By lofing of our prayers*
Pojf, I Ihall do well;
* The perfons are To n^iimed in the firft edition ; but I know not
%¥hy Mcnec rates ap(>ears ; Mcnas can do all without him*
JoHKSOlf.
All the fpccches in this fcenc tlmt are not fpoken by Pompey
and Varrios, are marked in the old copy, Meni-^ which muft it and
for Maietraiet* 1 he coarfc of the dialogue fiiows that fome of
them at lea It belong to Mena^i ; and accordingly they arc to him
attributed in the modern editions; or rather, a fyllabic [Men,] hai
been prefixed, that will ferve equally to denote the one or the
other of thefc perfonages. I have given the firfl two fpeechcs to
Menecratts, and the rell to Menas. It is a matter of little confc-
quence^ M alone,
* Whiles *we are fftitors ta their throne^ decays
The ikittg fwe fue fir,^ The meaning is, Whiit *tue are pn^^tttg^
sb§^ thmg fir mkkh ive ^rafVk lofing its value, JOH HiOH*
45S ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
The people love me, and the fea is mine ;
My power's a crefcent,' and my auguring hope
Says, it will come to the full. Mark Antonj
In Egypt fits at dinner, and will make
No wars without doors : Caefar gets money^ where
He lofes hearts : Lepidus flatters both.
Of both is flatter'd ; but he neither Ioves>
Nor cither cares for him.
Men. Caefar and Lepidus
Are in the field ; a mighty ftrength they cany.
Pom. Where have you thi^ ? 'tis falfc.
Men. From Silvius^ fir.
Pom. He dreams ; I know, they arc in Rome to.
gether,
Looking for Antony : But all charms • of love.
Salt Cleopatra, foften thy wan'd lip ! '
9 JIfy power's a crefcent^ &c.] In old editions :
Af^. powers are ere/cent, and my au^riMg hope
Says it ixjili come to the fulL
What does the relative // belong to ? It cannot in femje rdtte lo
hope^ nor in concord to powers. Tne poet's allufion is to the mtm\
and Pompey would fay, he is yet but a half moon« or crrfami
but his hopes tell him> that crefcent will come to a ftdl oih,
Thbobald.
* charms ] Old copy — /i^^ charms — • The udck ii
here omittcd» on account of metre. Steevbns.
3 thy wan'd lip /] In the old edition it is
— — — thy wand lip I
Perhaps, for fond lip, or 'warm lip, fays Dr, Johnibn. Wa^^
if it ftand, is either a corruption ofivan, the adjedire, or a coi^
traction ofnvanned, or made luan, a participle. So, in Hatmiet:
♦* That, from her working, all his vifage waw*^**
Again, in Marfton's Antonio and Mellida :
«« ■ a cheek
•* Not as yet ijoand**
Or perhaps ivaned lip, i, e. dccreafed, like the Toooa, in its
beauty. So, in The Tragedy of Mariam, 1615 :
** And Cleopatra tlien to feek haul been
" So firm a lover of her nMBitud bat."
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 459
Let witchcraft join with beauty^ luft with both!
Tie up the libcrdne in a field of fcafts.
Keep his brain fuming j Epicurean cooks.
Sharpen with cloylefs faucc his appetite;
That fleep and feeding may prorogue his honour.
Even till a Let he'd dulnefs/ — How now Varrius ?
Againj in Thi Skjnmr'j Piajt among the Chefter colleaioa of
MjffSrm^ MSt HarL 1013. p* 152:
'* O blcfTcd be thou ever aad afc ;
'< Now *way*ifd Is aU my woo/'
Yet tbiscxprelTtonof Pompcy** perhaps, after all, implies a wifh
only, th;it every charm of love may confer additional foftnefs oa
ihc lip^ of Cleopatra : i. c- that her beauty may improve to the
ruin of her lover : or, as Mr. Ritfon cxprcfFes tiie fame idea, that
" her Irp^ which was becom<2 pale and dry with ^gr^ may recover the
€oi{mr^ndfi/fnrJi of hcr jitHad d^y%^" — -The epithet ^wd^ jiiight in-
deed have iJecn added » only to Ibow the fpeaker's private contempt
of it. It may be remarked, that tht lips of Africans and Atiatica
arc paler than thofe of Eu ropcara nations, S t 1 E v e ^ s*
Shakfpeare's orthography [or th^it of his ignorant publifhers]
often adds a 1/ at the end of a word. Thus, 'viif is (in the old
editions) every where fpelt n:iM, Lffur/dh given inftead o( iazt/n:
why not therefore ni*a*t*d for nami here I
if this however ftiould not be accepted* fuppofe we read with
the addition only of an apottrophe, <it'aN*d; i. e, ^*janed^ declined,
gone oiF from its perfeflion i comparing Cleopatra's beauty to the
^mooa pail the fulL Pbrcy,
-* ^hatjltep itmdfttdmg may pr^r^gm his honour,
E'vtn iili a Lefiff^d dulftr/L] I (ufpe^t our author wrote ;
That fleep and feeding may prorogue his H^ar, &c.
So, in l^iimft Qf Aihtm :
^ *' — let not that part of nature,
B " Which my lord pay'd for, be of any power
" To expel ficknefs, hm praUftg hh hoftr,**
The words h^tti^ar and h^ur have been more than once confounded
in thefe plays. What Pompey feems to wifh !s, that Antony
ihould ilih remmu with CleopaU^, totally forgetful of every other
Iobjc^.
•• To prorogue his h^ptmrt" docs not convey to me at leaft, any
precjfe notion. If Imwcver, there be no corruption, 1 fappofc
Pompey means to wifh, that llecp and feafting may prorogue to fo
diftant a da)-^ all thoughts of fame and military aciuevcmcnt, thai
they may totally ilidc ftoni /kpiony> pami^ M4juoirf*
i
46o ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
P
Enter Varrius*
P^AK- This is molt certain that I (liall delivers
Mark Antony is every hour in Rome
Expeded ; lincc he went from Egypt, 'tis
A fpace for further travel.*
Pom, I could have given* lefs mac
A better ean— Menas, I did not think,
This amorous furfeiter would have don'd his helm*
For fuch a petty war: his foldierfliip
Is twice the other twain : But let us rear
The higher our opinion, that our ftirring
Can from the lap of Egypt's widow ' pluck
The ne'er lu ft- wearied Antony,
Mes\ I cannot hope,'
Caefar and Antony (hall well greet together:
His wife, that's dead, did trefpaflcs to C^farj
To ft®^ his b^ttmrkc. tindoobtedly means, to icLxy ku
6/hn$nrfr&m ixtrimg iifiifHUhe is ifcme kahmaUj JiM£gy$,
4 ^fi£^ h^ 'went fr^m Mz)fh V/i
A /fact fir fsirthirtru'vei.Y '^' ^* ^Hcc he quit led j^gypt. a
fpacc of tirae has elapfed in which a longer jc^urncj" mtght: havt
been performed than from JBgy^t to Rome, Steivexs.
5 / r&M ha*vegi^'ra &Cp] I cannoi help fuppofing, on aceottntd'
tlie prefent irregularity of mt^tre, that the natnc oihUufss is an b^
terpolationp and that the paflagc originaHy flood as follows i
Pom, I cQuU h(i*ve gi%xpi
Lt/s mauet htmr ear, — / did noi thmk — * STSEVVKi.
6 — miotiid ha'v^ don'd hit helm — ] To doH^h SO ^« i», to M
on. Soyiti'^th^^t'^DtitchcfsQfMeiifyt ifiij:
'* Call upon our dame aloud,
" Bid her quick ly i/^jw her ihrowd," STisvgKf,
T — Egypt's widow — ] Julius Caefar had married her to ytnmg
Ftolcmy , who was aftc r w ard» dro w iied. S t e e v e » s ^
« t cmfiQt hope. ^^0^ ^'^- TjrivMit, the judicious tdicor of
the C^fturifjtrj Tahs of Chaucer \i% five vols, Svo* 1775, &c* o^m
fcrvcs that to hope on this occafion means to expih Sg^ ig fk
Hewitt $Tak^ V- 4027 ; ^
" Qm laaiicjplc I hfe be wol be dcd/' StisVtiii,"
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 461
His brother warr'd upon him ; ' although, I think.
Not mov'd by Antony.
Pom. I know riot, Menas,
How lefler enmities may give way to greater.
Were*t not that we (land up againft them all,
*Twere pregnant they fhould fquare * between them«
felves ;
For they have entertained caufe enough
*ro draw their fwords : but how the fear of us
May cement their divifions, and bind up
The petty difference, we yet not know.
Be it as our gods will have it ! It only ftands
Our lives upon,' to ufe our ftrongeft hands.
Come, Menas. [Exeun/.^
9 warr'd ufo» him ;] The old copy has ^wan^d. The eroen*
dation, which was made by the editor of the fecond folio, is fup.
ported by a pafTage in the next fcene, in which Caefar fays ta
Antony :
«< — your wife and brother
*♦ Made nuan upon me." MalonS.
* fquare ] That is, quarrel. So, in The Shotmaier's
Holiday » or the gentle Craft , 1 6oo :
«* What ? fquare they, matter Scott ? —
•* Sir, nodonbt:
** Lovers are quickly in, and quickly out/' Stsevins.
Sec Vol. V. p. 32, n,5. Maloni.
* // onlyfiands
Our Irues upon, ice J] i. e. to exert our utmoft force, is the only
sottfequential vidiy of fecuring our lives.
So, in King Richard III :
*♦ ■ fo( It fiands me much upon
«* To ftop all hopes" &c,
L e. is of the utmoft confcquence to me. See Vol. X. p. 61 6, n. 2*
Steevsns*
4 This play is not divided into afh by the author or firft editors^
and therefore the prefent divifion may be altered at pleafure. I
think the firft a6^ may be commodioufly continued to this {^ace,
and the fecond aft opened with the interview of the chiefperfons,
and a change of the llace of adlion. Yet it muft be confeflcd, that
it is of fmall importance, where thefe unconneded and defaltory
fiBCoes are interrupted. Jon n %ok^
462 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
SCENE II.
Rome. A Room in the Houfe of Lcpiduf .
Enter Enobarbus and Lefidus.
Lep. Good Enobarbus, 'tis a worthy deed^
And Ihall become you well, to entreat your captain
To foft and gentle fpeech.
End. I (hall entreat him
To anfwer like himfelf : if Caefar move him.
Let Antony look over Caefar's head.
And fpeak as loud as Mars. By Jupiter,
Were I the wearer of Antonius* beard,
I would not lhav*t to-day.*
Lep. *Tis not a time
For private ftomaching.
Eso. Every time
Serves for the matter that is then bom in it.
Lep. But fmall to greater matters mull give way.
Eno. Not if the fmall come firft.
Lep. Your fpeech is paflion:
But, pray you, ftir no embers up. Here comes
The noble Antony.
* Were I the nuearer of Antonius* beard,
I ivould notjharv't to-day.^ I believe he means, InmmUi
him imdrejfed, nuithout Jbvw ofrejpea. JoH nson.
Plutarch mentions that Antony ^ after the overthrow he had ac
Modena, Altered his beard to grow at len^, and never dipl 1X9
that it was marvelous lone.'' Perhaps this circumftance wm k
Shakfpcare's thoughts. NlALoif £•
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 463
Enter Antony andV^nriDius^
Eno. And yonder^ CsEfar.
Enter Cmsar^ Micm^iA^, and Agkifp a.
Anr* If we compofe well here^* to Parthia :
Hark you, Ventidius.
Cms* I do not know,
Mecxnasi afkAgrippa.
Lep. Noble friends.
That which combin'd us was moft greats and Itl
not
A leaner aflion rend us. What's aniifs.
May k be gently heard : When we debate
Our trivial diiference loud^ we do commit
Murder in healing wounds: Then, noble partners,
(The rather, for I cameftly befeech,)
Touch you the fourefl: points with fwecteft terms.
Nor curftncfs grow to the matter, "^
Ant, 'Tis fpoken well:
Were wc before our armies, and to fight,
I iliould do thus.
Cms. Welcome to Rome*
Ant* Thank you.
Cm* Sitp
Asr, Sit, fir! '
CjE$. Nay;
Then—
^ if ^me compofe w^dlhtre^ t. e. if we come to a lucky t^mp^
fttim^ agreement. So after wards*
*' 1 crave oiir cQmp^fidun may be Written'' — ,
i. c* the terms on which oar differences are fettled* Steevshs*
^ l^mr mrfttfifi gro'W to iha mumr,^ Let not iU-humimr bc addai
to t he real fa bjtif of our diilerenc e, Johnson.
7 Cxf, Sit,
Ant. Sit, /r/] Antony appear* to bc jealous of a cixcuraftancc
'■ I
464 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Asr. I learn, you take things ill^ which are Btft
fo;
Or, being, concern you not.
Cms. I muft be laugh'd at,
If, or for nothing, or a little, I
Should fay myfelf offended ; and with you
Chiefly i' the world : more laugh'd at, that I (houU
Once name you derogately, when to found your
name
It not concerned me.
Ant. My being in Egypt, Caefar,
What was't to you ?
CjEs. No more than my redding here at Rome
Might be to you in Egypt : Yet, if you there
which fccmed to indicate a conrdoufoeft of faperioricy in hb M
fuccefsful partner in power; and accoidinely rdfenu the inTitatMi
of Cadfar to be feated : Caefar anfwen, Saj tbett L e. if jot
are fo ready to refent what I meant as an adl of civilitr, cheie can be
no reafon to fuppofe you have teniper enoueh for the bufindli oa
which at prefent we arc met. The former editors leave a foil poiii
at the end of this as well ^ the preceding fpeech. Stbi¥ iks.
The fbllowine circumftance may ferve to ftxengthen Mr. Slee-
tens's opinion : When the fiftitioas Sebaftian made his appeamioe
in Europe, he came to a conference with the Conde de Lemoi; m
whom, after the firft exchange of civilities, he faid, Cmidt it Lt-
fnos, he covered. And being aiked by that nobleman, by what
pretences he laid claim to the fupcriority exptefled by foch pcr-
niiifion, he replied, I do it by right of my birth ; I sun Sefadhan.
JOHKSOir*
I believe, the author meant no more than that Cacfar flioald de-
fire Antony to be feated : •• Sit." To this Antony replies. Be jra,
fir, feated firft : " Sii^Jtr." " Nay, them" rejoins Csefar, if'^ywi
ftand on ceremony, to put atn end to farther talk on a matter of fe
little moment, I will take my feat. — However, I have too vaaA.
refpcd for the two preceding editors, to fet my judgment abofe
their concurring opinions, and therefore have left the note of
admiration placod by Mr. Stccveos at the end of Antony's ipeod^
undifturbcd. Max.onk.
I
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 4«5'
Hid pn&iCt on my ftate/ your being in Egypt
Might be my qucftion.^
jInt. How intend you, practis'd?
C€^, You may be pleased to catch at mine intent.
By what did here befal me. Your wife^ and bro-
ther,
Made wars upon me; and their conteftation
Was theme for you, you were the word of war/
I
■ U/i/pra^ife «jj* my flate^] To ^r&Bifi means to employ anwar*
raniablc arts or flratagemSp 5^o, in The Trag^dit fff Jfthnie^ done
into Englifh by the countefs of Pembroke, i f 9 j :
*' nothing kills me fo
** As that I do my Cleopatra fee
*' Praajfi wiih Cjcfar/'
See Vol. IV. p, 36i» n. 5. Steevehi.
v^ ^fttfi'm.'] i. <u My theme or fubje^'of coiiverratioiu So
again tn this fcenc :
•' Out of our ^ueflhn wipe him/''
See VoL VIL p, 107, n. 4, MAiONt.
* their e^ntrflaikn
Was ih^me fir ym^ yom it'fr^ ihf tword^fmian^ The only
ineminf of this can he, that the war, which Antony's wife and
bfofher made upon Cxfar, was theme for Antony too to make
war ; or was the occafion why he did make war. But this it
dire^ly contrary to the context, which 0jows, Antony did neither
encourage them to it, nor fccond them in it. We cannot doubt
then, but the poet wrote :
^and ihilr €Qnteflaihn
Wm them'd fhrymi^
tt c. The pretence of the war was on your account, they took up
armi in your name, and you were made the theme and fubje£l of
their bfurre^on. Warburtopt,
1 am neither fiiti^ficd with the reading nor the emtndatlon ;
ihem^d b, 1 think, a word unauthorifed^ and very harih« Fer-
baps we may read :
^^ —'^^ thnr coHiffiaHm
l| ^^^ Had ihtme from yca^ you n.i^rg ike 'wordef'war*
W . Thf dijpute dftrvfd iu JuifjtS from ymi. It may be corrcfleJ by
mere tf anfpofition :
_ ^ - thfir csmtflttikn
■ Yon were theme for, ym 'u.tn the ijcird-^ JouNSOX.
i Vox. XIL H h
4li ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
A2it* Yoy do miftake your bulinefs ; my brothel
never
Wm thfmi for youj, I believe mwas only, nms f^^fid a$ m
exam/U for J<^^ i<^ fiUmM m a jH mst* exifttji^e pkm % sti ikfrna ace
giren for a writer to dilate upon.. ShaJcfpeare, however, mtf
prove the belt commentator on himfelf. Thus, in C^riMsm^
AdL &,U
« .-_ throw forth greater ihmet
*» For inforre^on's arguing-'*
Sicimus ealla Coriolanus, " the ihemr of our aflbablf,*'
So, in M^dft^ :
*< — ^^Two truthi are told
*' A$ happjr prologues to the fwcUing aft
" Of the imperiai iiftjm/*
Ani in Cjmhtlme:
" — When a foldier was the thtmt^ nay name
* ^i Wa* not ftf off/' Henliy.
Mr. Steevens'sinierpremtion is certainly a jufl one* as the
nov^iland; but the fenfe of the words this inteiprcted, bciig
dircftly repagnant to the renoaming words, which are eviihadf
J jut in apportion with what has preceded, fhows that there muft be
bme corruption. If their contedation was a ihime fir Ammef
dilute hPq7i^ qh fxamfh Jhr him i& fil/invy what congruity h
between thclic words ana the conclufion of the paflagc^" j§m
thf mjsrd of^w&r : i. e« your name was empioyed by tbem to
troops to tljeir ibndard ? On the other hand* " ttair com
dtfFvtd ii% thfme or fubje^ from you; you were tbcif woeiof
war," affords a clear and confident feufe. Dr^Wiirburton 'seines*
dation, howcv^er, does not go far enough. To obtaiia tbe fedl
defircd, wc fhould read^-
Was them'dfnm yoit,—
So^ m Trttiimf and C^ffida :
" She 15 a tk^me of honour and renown,
"A fpur to valiant and magnanimous deeds,"
Ag;ain, mHamhi:
" -So like the king,
*■ That was and is the ^utfihfi of thcfc wars,"
In almoft every one of Shakfpeare^s plays, ftibftanfiTes «tc ufel
as verba. That he muft have written fram, appears hf hmoofS
anfwer:
*' You do miftakc yonr bufinefs; my brother nercr
*' Did urge me in his aft."
1. C never made me (he theme for *' infurreftioaV arguing/*
MAXoinb
I
I
I
I
I
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 467
Did urge me in his aft ! * I did enquire it ;
And have my learning from fome true reports/
That drew their fwords with you. Did he not ra-
ther
Difcredit my authority with yours ;
And make the wars alike againft my ftomach.
Having alike your caufc ? * Of this, my letters
Before did fatisfy you. If youil patch a quarrel.
I fhould fuppofe that forae of the words in this fen ten cc han
baeo niifplaccd, md that it ought to ftand thus ;
and for conteftarion
Their theme was you ; you were the word of war,
M. Ma son.
* mj brother nt^er
Did urge mt m his aB ;} L e* Never did make ufc of my name
IS a pretence for the wax. War b tj rto n ,
4 true reports,] Rtp^ns for re^rteru Mr* ToUetobferve*
thai Holinfhcd, 1 1 81 , ufes rtcordi for ^imtchtn | and in King Rick*
md a* our author has <wrsmgt for li^rcftg^n:
" To roufe his titr^ngs and chafe them to the bay,"
Sec Vol* VIII, p, 16 J. Steevens.
t Having 12/jri^ your c^u/e^] The meaning fcems to be, htmhg
ik fame cQuJe at yon i& he t^jftndti 'with me^, But why, becaule he
was offended with Antony, fhould he make war upon C^far I Mxy
It noi be read thus :
■ DiJ h^ mt rathtr
Difirtdit my auth^riiy nviih ymrtf
^nd make ihe nvsrs aiiie azainfi myftemach^
Hating alike ou r cati/e f ]o h m so n .
The old reading is imnKdiately ejtplained by Antony's being
die pajtner with Odavius in the caafc againfl which his brother
fougnt, Steevews.
Han/iftg alike your catife f\ That is, / having alike your caufe.
The meaning is the fame as if, inftead of " againft my ftoraach,'*
©or author had written — againft the Jkmach ^ mt. Did he not
f jkys Antony,) make wars agataft the inclination of mc a)fo, of
me, who was engaged in the fame caufe with yourfelf? Dr*
Jobafon fuppofed that baling meant, ke having, and hence bat
fyggefted an nnneceiTary emendation^ Malqne^
H h 2
468 ANTONY AND^ CLEOPATRA,
As matter whole you have not to make it with^'
It muft not be with this*
C^s. You praife yourfelf
By laying defe<5ls of judgement to me ; but
You patched up your excu fes.
Ant* Not To, not fo :
I know you could not lack, I am certain on%
Very necefllty of this thought, that I,
Y^our partner in the caufe 'gainft which he fought.
Could not with graceful cy^s^ attend thofe wars
Which 'fronted'^ mine own peace. As for my wife,
1 would you had her fpirit in fuch another : *
* As maiUr mfh^lf ^m have not io mah it ^jssih^ The ort^isii]
copy reads ;
As matter nvhoh yQu have to msh it 'wUk*
Without doubt erroneoufly ; I therefore only obfervc it» that fhi
reader may more readily admit the Hbertics which the editors oC
this aulhor's works have neceflCarily taken, Joh nsok.
The old reading may be right* It feemi to allude ta hsOiaaft
acknowledged reglcd in aiding Cajfar ; bui yet Antony liocs net
aliow himfelf to be faulty upon the prefent caiwfc alled^d igaiuft
hiffip Stievens.
I have not the fmallel! doabt thai the corre^on, which mm
made by Mr, Rowe, is right- The ftrufttiie of the fcntetKJc, '* Jk
matter," Sec* proves decjfively that nf^t was omitted. Of ^ iki
errori that happen at the prefs^ omillloii i^ the mofl ffcqucm*
* ~-^nmth graceful eyes^^^J\ Thus the old ropy rteidt^ aa4
I believe^ rightly. Wc AiU fay, / emtld nai look haiidjbiocly m
fuch or fttch a proceeding. The modem editors icid-^r»A^.
5 ^*frmud — yX ^ Opp^/td* JottNSOW. 1
So, m Cymhfimt:
" Your preparaijon can nffroni no left <
<» Than what you hear of.'* Stsevens- ,
* Inmuldjmhad ktr fpirit in fuch amihtr i'\ Antony RieaOiti
fay, 1 wini yott had the fpirit of Fulvia, embodied in fach aooihlt
woman as her; I wi^ you were married to fuch aootlier fpkittl
woman ; and tlien you would %xi'd^, that though you can gotei
the third part of the wgtldj the sntuagcinont of fuch a WDaan ti
not an caiy matter*
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 469
The third o* the world is yours 1 which with a
fnaffle
You may pace eafy, but not fuch a wife.
jEa'^o, * Would* we had ail fuch wives, that the
men might go to wars with the women!
Ant. So much uncurbable, her garboils^ Caefar,
Made out of her impatience^ (which not wanted
Shrewdnefs of policy tooj I grieving grant.
Did you too much difquiet: for that^ you muft
But fay, I could not help it.
Cms. I wrote to you.
When rioting in Alexandria; you
Did pocket up my letters, and with taunts
Did gibe my miflive out of audience.
As^r, Sir,
He fell upon me, ere admitted ; then
Three kings I had newly feafted, and did want
Of what I was i* the morning: but, next day,
I cold him of myfclf ; ^ which was as much
By the words, yon hsdhzt fptrit, Arc, Shakfpearc, I apprehend*
meant ^ you were mtiud ia, or pofTeffed of, a tcs^w^* iviih her
fpirit.
Having formerly mifapprch ended ihis paflagc, and fuppofed
that Antony wifhed Auguftus to 6f a^ttaud by a fpirit fimtlar to
Fulvia's, I propofed to read — €*tn fuch another, m being frequcnily
printed for e'm it^ thcfe pliys. But there h no Deed of change.
Maloke.
Sm£h^ I belieye, (hould be omitted, as both the verfc and mean-
ing arc complete without it.
/ njumld you had htrfpmi m mi&then
The compofiior's cj^c might have cauffht the here fuperfluoim
/m^h^ from the next Imc bi2t one. In which fuck ts abfolmely nc*
ccflary both to the fcnfc and metre.
The plain meaning of Antony is— I wifii yon had my wife's
Ypirit r« another wifc^ — i, c, im a wife of your own- Stisvi ks.
* I told him af myfilf;'] i. c. Told him the condition I vi^ tQi
when he had hit lah audience \V Ji r i u r tok •
H h 3
470 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
As to have aik'd him pardon: Let this fellow
Be nothing of our ft rife ; if we contend.
Out of our queftion wipe him,
Cms^ You have broken
The article of your oath; which you (hall never
Have tongue to charge mc with,
Lef, Soft^ Caefar.
Lepidus^ let him fpcak ;
The honour's facred * which he talks on now^
* TS# hmmri facred*—] Sacred^ for unbroken, tin violated-
Dr. Warburton fccms to undcrftand this paflage ihas; Thr ko--
Mfmr i^hkh he talks af mr as lacking, is un violated, / Hever itrrJhd
a. This perhaps may be the true meaning, but before I read the
note, I undeHtood it thus : Lepidus interrupts C^ar, en the
fuppofition that what he is abour to fay will be too hadh to be
endured by Antonys to which Antony replies, M, Le^idm^ Ui
him /prai ; t^ ffmrity of honour on which he now fpmkt ^ ^m
m^hkh tbji ctinferencc is hiU nmj^^ is facredj €ven fuppofing that I
Jacked hmour befo re« J o h n so n *
Antony, in my opinion, means to fay, — The theme of honour
which he now fpcaks of, namely, the religion of an oath^ for which
he fiippofea me not to have a due regard, is facred; it is a tender
point, and touches my character nearly. Let him therefore urge
his charge, that 1 may vindicate myfelf, Malokb*
1 do not think that either Johnfon's or Malonc's explanation of
this palTage is fatis factory. The true meaning of it appears to be
this; — *' Csefar accufes Antony of a breach of honour in denying
to fend him aid when he required it, which was contrary to his
oath* Anionjf fays, in his defence, that he did not deny his aid,
but in the midft of diffipation neg^Ie^ed to fend it : that having
now brought his forces to Join him againll Pompey, he bad re-
deemed that error; and that therefore the honour which CsJar
talked of^ was wu^it; facred and inviolate, fuppofing that he had
been fomcwhat deficient before, in the performance of that engaee*
menu" — The adverb nvw refers to ii^ not to iulh m \ and the Line
^flunld be pointed thus:
The honour's facred that he talks on, now,
Suppofing th^t 1 IsckM it. M, Masqit*
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 471
Suppofing that I lack'd it : But on^ Cacfar;
The article of my oath, —
Cms* To lend me arms, and aid, when I required
them ;
The which you bothdeny'd.
Ant* Neglccfted, rather;
And then, when poifon*d hours had bound me up
From mine own know led ge» As nearly as I may,
1*11 play the penitent to you ; but mine honefty
Shall not make poor my greatnefs, nor my power
Work without it : ' Truth is, that Fulvia,
To have me out of Egypt, made wars here ;
For which myfclf, the ignorant motive, do
So far afk pardon, as befits mine honour
To ftoop in fuch a cafe,
£f p, *Tis nobly Ipoken.^
Mec, If it might pleafe you, to enforce no further
The griefs ' between ye: to forget them quite.
Were to remember that the prefent need
Speaks to atone you/
LEr, Worthily fpoke, Mccasnas.
Eno* Or, if you borrow one another *s love for
the inftant, you may» when you hear no more words
ofPompey, return it again: you ftiall have time
to wrangle in, when you have nothing elfe to do,
jinT, Thou art a foldier only i fpeak no mare.
* - i. ■ mr my fintjfr
W<trk ^mth^ni k ;] Nor my grtatncfs woik Without mine ho-
fiefty. Maloki*
^ 'Jii mUy/iokm^l l^M^ the fecund foHo. The fis^—mhh,
' Th gTicfa*--^} u f . gncvan(5cs. Sec VoLVIfl* p* ccy.,!:^. j,
• iQziQTvtjm.'l i, e. recoadlt you. Sc&ToUX^H* p<50f
11*5. St1IV£NB, . ,,,
H h 4 '
472 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA,
£no* That truth fhould be filent/ I had almoft
forgot,
AnT' You wrong this prefcnce, therefore fpeak
no more.
Esq- Go to then; your confidcrate ftonc'
* nai truth fiouU Irjtkat,] We find 9 (imilaf fentJractit in ^iff^
hmr : ** Tmih's a dog that muft to kennel,—," Str e v e h9.
"^ ^jeur ^cftfidtratf Jfme*} This Ibe is paffcd bf til the ciH-
IOCS, as if they undcrftood it, and believed it umveriaUy intel-
ligible- I cannot find in it any veiy obi'ious, &nd haidly aj^
pofiiblc meaniTTg- 1 would therefore read :
Go to thtrff^ yoti imfiitratt on»-
You who diflike my frank tic ft and temerity of fpeech, and afe
fo tmfiittui€ and dtfcreet, ^0 to^ do your own buftnefs. Johxsojt.
I believe, G<? ta thm % ymr cmfiismti finne^ nocans only this : if
/ mufl he chidden^ keti^tfimvarJ I ivi/i ie mut^ ar a mafhU ^atme^
^wkkh/femi U think t tkmgh it catif&y mthiftg* Ai filtmt tfi a JUmt^
however, might have b<^n once a comraon phrafe. So, 10 tbc
interlDde of jac^h and Efau^ ^ 59S *
•* Bring thou in thine, Mido, and fee thou be a ftem^
-• MidQ,\ Aftme^ how Ihould that be, ku
«* Rtheitn^ I meant th^H JhouWfi mthmg faj**
Again, in the old raetrical romance of .^r Ghj ofWayyuskk^ bl, L
no date :
'< Guy let it pafle as Jiill asfl^^te^
** And to the fleward word fpake none/*
Again, in TnHi AMdtvisktti, A^ IIL fc. i :
" A /cfif hfdtnt and offcndeth not*'*
Again, Chaucer:
'^ To ride a by the way* d^mhe as thi fiom^^
In Burton's Aa/oiwj^ af Mcimchoij^ Part J» Scd, a, Mcmb* j*
Subf, 15. the following pafiagc occurs as a quotation :
fiatJui tacitnmiQr exit,
Plcrumq; ct rifum populi quatit*
Mr. Toilet cxplalni the paiTage in qucftion, thus : '* I wjll
henceforth feem fenfelefs as a lione, however I may obfeivc and
confxdcr your word^ and actions." Steivens,
The metre of this line is deficient. It will be perfcO, and tlit
, fcnfc rather clearer, if wc read (without altering a letter) :
" ■» -your confideratell one,"
I doubt indeed whether this adjedivc is ever ufed in the fuper-
lative decree ; but in the mouth of Eiiobarbus it might be par-
doned* £LACJ£STOjfE.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 473
Cms* I do not much diflike the matter, but
The manner of his fpeech : ** for it cannot be,
We fhall remain in friendftiip, our conditions
So differing in their acts. Yet, if I knew
What hoop fhould hold us ftaunch^^ from edge to
edge
O' the world I would purfue it*
Agr. Give me leave, Caefar,— •
Cms. Speak^ Agrippa*
Agr. Thou haft a lifter by the mother's fide,
Admir'd Odavia; great Mark Antony
I5 now a widower.
Cms. Say not fo, Agrippa ; *
If Cleopatra heard you, your reproof
Were well defcrv*d * of rafhnefs.
Tmr, likt hanru &c* is iifcd as a diflyllable ; the uwtrc Lherelbie
ii not defedive. Maloni,
Thai the metre is completer! by reading ^fUft- as a diJ^^lkble, my
car^ at leaft, b unconvinced. Steevenb*
As Enobarbasj to whom this line belongs, generally f^^eak* m
plain profe, there h no occafion for any further attempt to harmo*
juzeit* RiTSON.
^^L/ ^0 mt muih diflike ih matteft ift*i
PK^TBif manner &/ hit f/rech:] I do not, fays Ciefar, tliink tJie
intn wrongs but too free of liis interpofition ; fir U eamtQi he^ lor
J^i remsift m frkndfii^ z jct if ii ivere f^^hle, I njijould endt'a^-mr
^, JOHKSON.
f Wkiit hoo^JhM Md itr^amd,] So, in Xiw^ Htnry IK P, II ;
" A h^p of gold, to bind thy brothers ia — /' St£evins«
» S^ nci fo, Agrt/pa ;] The old copv has— Sfty not >&j', Mr,
♦Rowc m adc this neceflary cc ricClion. M a L o n e .
I j^mr reproof
ifere ^jjtU defirv'd ] In the old edition :
J^iiitr proof
Wert mdl dtfrru^d ■ ■
«hhicK Mr, Theobald, with his tifual triumob, changes to ep*
frmf^ which he cxplams, *rlUiva/icf* Dr, W^rburton infcrtcd
repr^/vcTy properly into Hanmer't edition, but forgoi ii in hij
wfwn^ JOHNIOW,
474 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Asr. I am not married^ Csfar : let me hear
Agrippa further fpcak,
Agr, To hold you in perpetual amity.
To make you brothers^ and to knit your hearts
With an un flipping knot, take Antony
Oftavia to his wife ; whofe beauty claims
No worfe a hulband than the befl: of men ;
Whofe virtue, and whofe general graces, (peak
That which none elfe can utter. By this marriage,
All little jealoufies, which now fecm grcat^
And all great fcars^ which now import their dtiw
gcrs.
Would then be nothing ; truths would be but Cite,*
Where now half tales be truths : her love to both,]
Would, each to other, and all loves to both.
Draw after her* Pardon what I have fpokc ;
For 'tis a ftudicd, not a prefent thought,
3y duty ruminated.
Ant, Will Csefar fpeak ?
Cms* Not till he hears how Antony is touchM
Your reprm/ScQ,] That is, you might be reproved for
ralhncfs, and would well dcfcrvc it, — i'^ur reproof, meanf*
leproof you would undergo. The cxpreifion is rather iicent]0«t|
but one of a fimilar nature occurs in T^ Cujhm p/ the Cm
where Arnoldo, fpeaking to the Phyfician, fays,
" And by your fucccli
'■ In all your undertaking*, propagate
*' Fowr great opinion id tSe world/*
Here» jm^r opinion meansi the opinion conceited of roa*
Dr. Warburton's emendation is certainly right. The errtw
one of many which are found in the old copy ^ m confcquence of ^\
tranfcriber's ear deceiving him. So, in another fcemc of thii piay,
wc find in the Jirft copy — mwc »/ghtingale, inltead of mjr mght*
ingale; in C^nc/n/ius, news is cQmm^^ for news vn'^nuim, in the
jame play, highfri^rbir^^ &c. &c. M^lone, ^
^ hmmUul "^^ conjundion — hai^ was fupplbd inrSirV
llionias Hanmer to perfcd the metre We might m^% I tmol^
With kfs aliiteration^*.^^/ tales* ^ T£ £ t s » t ,
I
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 47s
With wliat is fpoke already.'
Anr, What power is ia Agrippa^
If I wouid fay, Agrippa, be it fo.
To make this good ?
Cmm* The power of C^far, and
His power unto Odtavia,
Ant. May I never
To this good parpofe, that fo fairly fho ws^
Dream of impediment ! — Let me have thy hand ;
Further this adl of grace j and, from this hour.
The heart of brothers govern in our loves,
And fway our great defigns !
Cms* There is my hand.
A lifter I bequeath you, whom no brother
Did ever love fo dearly : Let her live
To join our kingdoms, and oar hearts ; and never
Fly off our loves again !
Lep, Happily, amen!
Ant, I did not think to draw my fword *gainft
Pompcy ;
For he hath laid ft range court efics, and great.
Of late upon me: 1 muft thank him onty»
Left my remembrance fuffer ill report;^
At heel of that, defy him.
Lep. Time calls upon lu ;
Of us * muft Pompey prefently be fought^
Or elfe he feeks out us.
' ^^ alrrady,] This adverb maybe fairljr canndcred as an ia^
fcrpolatiotu Without cnforciDg the fcnfe, it violates the meafurc
Steevenk
* Lffl my rem^mhrante fuffer ill report ;] Left I be thought too
wilitng to forget benelits, I nsuft barely rctam him chanla, aod
then I wiU defy him. Johksok*
J Ofm &c*] In the language of Shakfpcart's time, tncana — by
111, MaLQH£*
476 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA,
Jsr. And where * lies he ?
. Cms. About the Mount Mifenum.
J NT* What's his ftrcngih
By land?
Cms. Great, and increafing : but by fea
He is an abfolute maften
jInt, So is the famc-
*Would, we had fpoke together ! Hafte we for ict
Yet, ere we put ourfelves in arms, delpatch we
The bufinefs we have talk'd of.
Cms. With moft gladnefe ;
And do invite you to my fifler's view.
Whither ftraight I will lead you.
Jisr. Let us, Lepidui
Not lack your companyp
Lef. Noble Antony^
Not ficknefs (hould detain me.
[Fkurijh, ExeunJ C^sar, Antony, and hEptmu
Mec* Welcome from Egypt, fir.
End. Half the heart of Caefar, worthy Mecsenai
—my honourable friend, Agrippa !—
Agr^ Good Enobarbus !
Me€* We have caufe to be glad, that matters are
fo well digelled. You ftay'd w ell by it in Egypt-
£ho. Ay, fir; we did deep day outofcountc*
nance, and made the night light wich drinking,
Mec. Eight wild boars roafted whole at a brcafc-
faft, and but twelve perfons there ; Is this true ?
End, This was but as a fiy by an eagle : wc had
* And *w^trf ]
for ihc fake of mcirc.
Afsd was fupplied by Sir Thomas HnuBOV
I
- moi^^kdnr/i y\ u C- gteatdt. So, in K, iltfifj Fi* P, F i
Bat always idblute in Mg^C3tttcmcs/' St& t veKS, ^
I
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, 477
much more monftrous matter of fcaft^ which wor-
thily deferved noting,
Mec, She's a moft triumphant lady» if report be
fquarc to hen*
Eno. When fiie firft met Mark Antony, (he
purfed up his heart, upon the river of Cydhus*^
Agr. There fhc appeared indeed ; or my reporter
devis*d well for hen
EnOu I will tell you :
The barge fhe fat in/ like a burnifli'd throne.
* ^^fquaie/a^^r,] i* e* if teport f/tadmus with her, or
fuits wiih her merits. Steeveks,
^ H%fi/ Jhe firfi met Mark Animj^^ fie purfed ftp hh hearty mpm
the ttver <f C^dmiu'l This pafla^e is a it range inftaiice of negligence
and inattention in Shakfpeare. Enobarbus i% made to fay that
CIcopfitra gained Antonyms heart oa the river Cj'-dnus ; but it ap-
pears ffom the conclufton of his own defcription, that Antony had
never feen her there ; thai, whilft fhc was on the tvrti^ Antony
was fitting alone, enthroned in the marker- place, wMftling to the
air, aH the people having left him to gaze upon her; and that,
when fhe landed, he fent to her to invite her to fupper.
M. Masou,
' The hatgf fie fat m^ &c.] The reader may not be difpleafed
with the preTent opportunity of comparbg our author'* defcriptioii
with that of Dryden :
'* Her galley down the filver Cydnus row'd,
*' The tackling, filk, the ftreamers wav'd with gold,
** The gentle winds were lodg*d in purple fails :
" Her nymphs, like Nereids, round he rcoi*chttxreplac*<it
** Where (lie* another fen -horn Venus, lay.^-
•* She lay, and leant her cheek upon her hand,
** And caft a look fo languifhingly fwcet,
" As if, feci! re of all beholders* hearts,
" Ncglefling (he could take 'em : Boys, like Cnpidi*
*• Stood fanning with their painted wings the winds
" That play'd about her face : But if ffie fmird^
*' A darting glory feera'd to blaze abroad j
»< That men's de firing eyes were never wearied »
•' But hung upon the obje^ : To foft flutes
** The filver oars kept time ; and while they play'd,
'* The hearing garc new pleafure to the fight.
478 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA*
Burn*d on the water : the poop was beaten gold $
Purple the fails^ and fo perfumed, that
The witids were love^fick with them ; the oars were
filveri
Which to the tune of flutes kept flroke^ and made
The watcr^ which they beat, to follow fatter.
As amorous of thcLr ftrokcs. For her own perfon^
It beggar'd all defcription : fhe did lie
In her pavilion, (cloth of gold, of tifluej
O'er-pifturing that Venus, where wc fee,*^
The fency out-work nature: on each fide her»
Stood pretty dimpled boys, like'fmiling Cupids,
With diverfe^olour*d fans, whofc wind did feem
To glow the delicate cheeks which they did cool.
And what they undid, did."*
Agr. O, rare for Antony 1
Enq. Her gentlewomen, like the Nereides,
So many mermaids, tended her i' the eyes/
•• And both m ihought, *Ti^iis heaven^ or fomewhac more ;
*' For fhe fo charm '3 all hearts, that gazing crowds
** Stood panting on the thottt and wantrd Breatli
*• To give their welcome voict." R^ed.
* 0*er*^tilmfing thai Vmus^ 'whtre *uy fit, &c,] Mouuog^ the
Venija of Protogencs mentioned by Pliny, t jj, c* to,
WA^atJiiToir.
^ Aninnihat fhry undid, drd*] It might be read lcf« harfbly;
Jnd *i^hat ihfj dtd^ tmdid* J 0 H K s o n «
The reading of the old copy is» I believe, right. The wind of
the fans fcein«3 to gire a new colour to Cleopatra's cheeks^ which
they were employed to cool; and *whai t%tj u^did^ %, c. that
warmth which they were intended to diminiih or allay, fbey tOd^
L e* they feem*d to produce. Ma lone.
^ tended ker t' the tygj,'] Perhaps itftded htrhf th'^ri, di£l
covered her will by her eyes. Jomxson*
Perhaps tliis eipiejiton as it ftands in the text, may fignify tbat
the attendants on Ct&opatra looked obfcn-'andy inio be? eyet^ to
catch ber jneanliig, wichgtic giving her the trouble of rcibal ex*
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 479
And made their bends adornings : * at the helm
A feeming mermaid fleers ; the filken tackle
^miion* Shakfpearc has a phrafc us uncofiimotT^ ia aaothcr
by;
" Sweats m ik€ €je of Phocbti^''^—
After aU* J believe that ** tended htr m th* fjes" Only 0tnt£ca
Wfthcv! before her, in her pfdcnce, in her fight. So, in &miti^
AaiV. fciv;
** If that his majcfty would aught ^rith us,
<• Wc fhall expri/s our duty in hh e^e"
iti our pcrfonal attendance on him, by giving htm ocular
on ' '
l>yjiv
iroof of OUT fefpcft* See noie on thia paffigc* Mr. Henley
platm it thus l obeyed htr koh nAfUhmt 'wait itfg fir Ser ^ordu
So* Spenfcr, F^€rj ^e^m^ B, L Ct iii:
** he way ted diligent,
** Witb hijmblc fervice to her will prepar'd |
** Fr^m bir fayrt eyfi Af /oelf mmmandemrm^
** And hy her lo^ks cfmmttd her iniiHt**^
Ag^» in our aathor's 149th Sonnet^
*' Comtnanded by the motion of thine eyes/'
The words of the text may^ however* only mean, they pcrfornied
tfieir duty in the fight of their miftrefs, M a l o n e.
> Jffd madr their hfnds adomings :] This is fenfc indeed, and
^uy be undcrftood thus ; her maids bowed vviih fo gcMsd an air,
lihat it added new graces to them. But this is not what Shakfpeare
ould fay, Cleopatra, in tliis famous fcene, perfonated Venua
jo ft riling from the waves ; at which time the mythologifts tell us,
fea-deities furrouiided the goddefs to adare^ and pay her ho-
mage. Agreeably to this fable, Cleopatra had drcifea her maids^
Jic poet tcJls us, Jike Nereids, To make the whole therefore
Conformable to the (loiy reprefenied, wc may be aflurcd, Shak*
pcarc wrote ;
And fnndii their Bewdt adoringi.
They did her obfervance in the polttirc nf ad^tatim^ as if fhe
lad been Venus* WARB^jEtTOs,
That Cleopatra perfonated Venus, wc know; but that Shak.
eaic was acquainted with the circa mftance of homage being paid
r by the Deities of the fea, 15 by no means as certain. The old
m will probably appear the more elegant of the two to modem
RKhdenj who have heard fo much about ihe iinc of keumty^ The
^hblc pa Sage is taken from the following in Sir Thoiaas North '1
at^Hation of Plutarch : " She difdained to ki forward ochcrwife,
lnjt to t^ her barge in the riuer of Cydnuf , the poope whereof
7
480 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA;
Swell with the touches of thofe flower-foft hands^
WIS of g<>ld€* the failcs of porple, and theowtrs of filuer, whiche
kept (Iroke in rowing after the founde of the mufickc of ilutci^
howboycs* citherns, violh, and foch orher tnflnimcnts as th^
played vpon in the barge* ^ And now for the perfon of her fclfc :
ihe was fayed under a pauilHon of cloth of gold of tilTue, apparelled
and atditd like the Godddic Venus^ commonly drawn in pidure;
and hard bjr her, on cither hand of her, prcde faire boyes appA*
relied as painters do fct forth God Cnpidc* with little faones in
their hands, with the which they fanned wind ^'pon her- Her
ladies and gentlewomen alfo* the Jaireft of them were apparelled
like the nymphes Nereides (w^hich are the mennaidca of the waters)
and like the Graces, fotnc Scaring tl^c hclme, others tending the
tackle and ropes of the bargp, out of the which there came m
wondcrfiill palling fweete fauor of perfumes^ that petfumed the
wharfes fide, peftercd with inmimcrable multitudes of people* Some
of them followed the barge aU alongft tire riucr's fide i othftrs alfo
ranne out of the citie to fee her coming iiu So that in thcnd^
there ranne fnch multitndcs of people one after another to fee her,
that Antonius was left pod alone in tlie market place^ in Mi Im^
periall featc to geve audience :" SlC, Ste evens.
There are few pailages in thcfc play* more puzstling ihin ihis ;
but the commentaton fcem to me to have negledcd entirely the
difficult part of it^ and to have confined all their learning and
conj enures to tliat which requires but little, if any explanation :
for if their interpretation of the words, rendcd her i* the rjes^ be
juft, the obvious meaning of the fucceedtng line will be* that In
paying their obcifancc to Cleopatra* the humble inclination of
their bodies was fo gcacefuU that it added to their beauty.
Warburton's amenditient, the reading udmngs^ inHeadof ai/^?/«-i
Ifigt^ would render the paflage Jefs poetical, and it cannot cxpre^
the fenfe he wifhes for, without an alteration ; for althoQp-h* as
Steevens juftly obferves, the verb cdQte is frequently ukA by th«
ancient dramatic writers in the fenfe of /<? &d^rji, I do not find that
iandomw^ reciprocally u fed in the fenfe of 10 sdore* Toilet '1
explanation Is ill imagined; for though the word Band might for-
merly have been fpell^ with an e, and a troop of beautiful attend-
ants would add to the general magnificence of tlie fcene, the/
would be more likely to eciipfe than to encreafc the chamis of
their miftrcfs* And as for Mabne's conjc^ure, though rather
more ingenious, it is jud as ill founded. That a particular bend
of the eye may add luftre to the charms of a beautiful woman^
every man muft have felt ; and it muft be acknowledged that the
words, iheir beftds^ may refer to the eyes of Cleopatn ; but the
^ord mmdi jnufl oeceiTarily refer to her gentlewomen : and it wooU
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 481
*That jrarely frame the office.' From the barge
be abfurd to fay that ihfjt made the bends of Jkrtycs^ adomings*—
But all thcfe explanations, from the firfl to the laft, are equal Ijr
erroneous, and are founded on a fuppofilion that the palTage is
€orre^, and that the words, ti'tiJed htr i' the eyet^ muft mean that
her attendants watched her eyes and from them received her
commands- Ho\v thofc word/i ean, by any poffibk conftra^ioti,
imply that ineaning, the editors have not tliown, nor can I con-
ceive.. Of this I am certain, that if fuch arfiitrary und fancifnl
interpretations be admitlcd, we fhall be able to extort what fenfe
wc pkafe from any combination of words* — The palfagc, as it
ftafids, appears to mc to be wholly unintclligihle ; but it may be
amended by a very (light deviation from the text, by reading the
gui/e^ inftead of the ejer^ and then it will run thns :
Her gentlewomen, like th^ Nereides*
Ml So many mermaids, tended her i* the gMifi^
^ And made their bends, adomtTigs,
Im thi gtiifit means in the form of mermaids, who were fuppofed
to have the head and body of a beautiful woman, concluding in a
fiOi'i rail : and by the bends fwhkb tb^y made adarningi^ Enobarby*
means the flexwrc of the ii(^iirious fifhe$' tails, in which the limbs
of the women were neceflarily involved, in order to carry on the
licception, and which it feems they adapted with fo much art as to
make diem an ornament, inilead of a deformity* This conjednre
m fopported by the very next fcnteace, where Enobarbus, pro*
caoding in his defcriptlon, fays,
»•• at the helm
" A feeming mermaid fteers/* M* Masoti*
In many of the remarks of Mn M* Mafon I perfedty concur,
thoogh they are fubverfive of opinions I had formerly hazarded*
On t5c prefent occafion I have the mbfortune wholly to difagree
with him*
His deviation from the t^'sX cannot be received \ for who ever
employed the phrafc he recommends, without adding fomewhat
immediately after it, that would determine its pieciie raoning ?
Wc may properly fay — in the guife o/*« Jhtpheri^ ^f a friar ^ or nf
m Nfrtid. But to tell us that Cleopatra's women attended her " in
rhe guifir without fubfequently informing us what that guife was,
is phrafeology unatithorized by the practice of any wntcr I have
met wiih^ iSf the word the commentator would introduce, had
tern genuine, and had referred to the antecedent, hWdda^ Shak-
: would moil probably have faid— ** tended her in ihai guifc;
vou xn.
1 i
48a ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
A ftrange invifible perfume hits the fcnfc
Of the adjacent ^vharfs. The city call:
—at kaft he would have employed fome eatprcffioti tty conned hh
fupplemcnt with die foregoin|; claufe of his ddcription* But— .
" ii) the gttifi*" feems unreducible to fcnfc, ami unjiifliiiable on every
principle of g rammar.^^Befide^, uhen our poet had once abfoliiidf
dedared thefc women were like Nereides or Nlcnnaids, would it
have hecn neceiTary for him to fubjoin that they appcajed ia ilie
form, or with the accoutrements of fuch beitigs ? for how dfe could
they have been diilinguifhcd ?
Yet, whatever grace the tails of legitimate mermaidi might
Ixjaft of in iheir native clement , ihcy muft have produced but
auk ward efieds when taken out of it, and cxbibiied on tlie deck of
a galley. Nor can I eoncdvc that our ^mt reprcfentari\ts of Acfe
nympha of the fea, were much more adroit and pi^urefque in
their motions ; for when theif legs were cramped within the fic-
titious tiiils the commentator has made for them, I do not difcotrcr
how ihey could baye undulated their hinder parts in a lucky imita-
tion of fcmi-iifties. like poor Elkanah Settle, in his dragon of
green leather, they could only wag the frmigmm ca»dse without
cafe, varietjs or even a chance of iahsurmg inttf a graceful nrrtv.
I will undertake, in Ihort, the cxpencc of providing chara^eriflick
taiU for any fet of mimick Kcreids, if my opponent will engage to
teach them the exercifeof the fc ad fcidtio us terminations, fo " as
to render ihcm a grace inilead of a deformity." In fuch anaiicmpt
a party of Britilh chambermaids would prove a& docile as an eqoal
number of Egyptian matds of honour.
It may be added alfo, that the Sirens and defcendants of Ncrcus,
tic underftood to have been complete and beautiful women, wliofe
breed was uncroflTed by the falmon or dolphin tribes ; and as fudi
they arc uniformly defcribcd by Greek and Roman poets. Antony,
in a future fcene (though perhaps with reference to this advcniure
on the CydnusJ has flyled Cleopatra his Theih^ a goddeis whofe
train of Nerdds is drcumftantiall;^ depifted by Homer, though
witJiout a hint that the vertebra of their backs were lengthened
IB to tails. Extravagance of fhape is only met with in the loweft
orders of oceaaick and tcrreftrial deities. Tritons are fumiihed
iviih fins and tails, and Satyrs have horns and hoofs* But a Ne-
reid's tail is an uncJadlcal image adopted from modern fign*jK)lls,
and happily expofed to ridicule by Hogarth in his Print of Strolling
AdrelTei drcffing in a barn. What Horace too has reprobated ^
A difguAing combinatioii> ^an never hope to be received ^ a p^ittera
of the graceful ;
I
I
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 4gj
Her people out upon her^ and Antony,
EnthronVi in the market-place^ did fit alone^
I Mt tu rpher ^frnm
Dt^imi in pifcem mulitr fr*tm$fii Juterni*
I allow that the figure at the hdm of the veflTeU was Hkewife %
Mermaid or Nereid ; but all mention of a tail is wanting there, a^
in cTCi)^ other paflTage throughout the dramas of our author, in
wKtch a Mermaid is introduced.
For reafons like thefe (notwithftanding in fupport of our com-
mentator's appendages, and the prcfent female falhion of bolfter'd
hips and cork rump^, we might read, omitting only a fingle letter,
— ^•* made their mis adorning \' — and though I have not forgotten
£ay«s*s advice to an a^refsr— '* Always, madam, up with your
cwT') I Ihould unwillingly confine the graces of Cleopatra's Nereids,
to the ficxilnlity of their pantomimicK tails- For thefe, however
ornamentally wreathed like Virgifs fnake, or reffieiflfully lowered
like a litlor's fafccs, mufl have afforded Icfs decoration than the
charms diffiifed over their unfophiRicatcd parts, I mean* the bending
of their necks and arms, the rife and fall of their bofoms, and the
general elegance of fubmiflion paid by them to the vanity of their
royal midiefs*
The plain fenfc of the conteHed paffage feems to be — that thefe
I^ies rendered that homage which their aOTumed charadlcrs obit*
ged them to pay their Queen, a circumftance ornamental to ihem-
&lvcs. Each inclined her perfon fo gracefully* that the very aA
of humiliation was athimprovcment of her own beauty.
The foregoing notes fupply a vcty powerful inftance of the un-
ceminty ot verbal criticifm ; im here we meet with the fame
pliraJe explained with reference to four difTercnt images^ — Bowa«
caouPSf £YESf and tails. Stieteks.
A pajfage in Drayton t M&rtimtri&dGt^ quarto, no date, may
Icrre to iUiiftrate that before us :
'* The n;iked nymphcs, fomc up, fomc downe defcending,
■* Small Icattering flow-res oite at another flung,
" With pretty turm their lymber bodies het^dittg^*^^^
1 once thought, their hends referred to Cleopatra's eyes, and not
to her gentlewomenp Her aiirH^afiU, i/r &rdrr f& ham ibeir mifiri'/is
^wiil't, ^u^ifhed thg rnQtimofhrr 9//, tf^e bends ttr mn^emfffU of^vhich
added itrm Ikfire m htrhtauiy. See the quotation from Shakfpcarc's
1 4Gth Sonnet, p, 479.
In our author we freqtirntly find the word ^'-rfl*/ applied to the
Thus, in the firfl ad of this play:
*• — thofc his goodly Qv-/
I i 2
484 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA,
Whiftling to the airi which, but for vacancy.
Had gone ' to gaze on Cleopacra too.
And made a gap in nature-
Agr. Rare Egyptian !
Eko. Upon her landing, Antony fent to her.
Invited her to fupper : fhe reply'd,
It Ihould be better, he became her gueft ;
Which flie entreated : Our courteous Antony*
Whom ne'er the word of m woman heard fpeak^
Being barber'd ten times o*er, goes to the feaft ;
And, for his ordinary^ pays his heart.
For what his eyes eat only.
AgSLm, Id Cfmbelme:
" Aiihough tbcy wear their fate* to the heni
" Of the king's looks/'
A^ain, more appofiteh' ia yul'mi C^/^r :
*• And that fame ^jr, whofe hnJ Joth awe the worlcL**
Mr. Mafon, remarking ou this incerpretatioH, acknowledge that
" ikrir heiftif may refer to Cleopatra's eyes, but (he word maJf muft
refer to her gcnilewomcn, and it would be ahfurd in fay that ihej
made the bends of hr eyes adorniogs," Aflcrtion ts much caiicr
than proof. In what does the abfurdity confift ? They thus Handing
near Cleopatra, and difcovering her will by the eyes* 'werg i&
caafe of hcr appearing more beai^dful, in confequence of the fne-
Snent motioD of her eyes ; i, e. (in Sh^kfpeare's bngua^f) this
icir fttuation and office was the caufe, $lq* Wc have tn c\wjr
page of this author fuch diftion* — ^But I ihall not detain the reader
any longer on fo dear a point ; efpecially ajs I now think that the
intcrpreiation of thcfe words given originally by Dr- Warbunon m
the ttuf 0^/p
Bend being formerly fometimcs ufcd for a hmtid or troif^ Mr.
Toilet "^^ry idty fuppofes lliat the word has that meaning Here.
Malohb.
* Tk&ijareij fmmt the ^ffitt^l 1. c. readily and dcxtcroufly per**
form the talk fhey undertake. Sec Vol. UI. p* 5, n. 5,
STtiVEsrs.
^ ■ mihkb^ hm fir niatamj^
iiadgtmi^^ ] Alluding to an axiom in the peripitetlc phi-
lofophy then in vogue, \\ul ^tume abhifU a '-jmaufn,
WARBtlRTOlr.
Mm fir *v&£aaejp meani« fof fiar q{ a ^i^^^^ttm* MALOift*
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 485
Agr. Royal wench !
JShe made great Caefar lay his fword to bed ;
;He ploughed hcr^ and Ihe cropp'd.
Eno, I faw her once
Hop forty paces through the publick ftrcet :
And having loft her breath, ftie fpoke^ and panted^
That Ihe did make defetl, pcrfedion^
And^ breathlcfs, power breathe forth.
Mec^ Now Antony muft leave her utterly,
\ Eno* Never j he will not;
Age cannot wither her» nor cuftom ftale
er infinite variety : * Other women
loy th' appetites they leed; but fhe makes hun-
ere moll Ihe fatisfies*^ For vilcft things
Her in/ttiu vart^fy :] Such is the praiie beftoweJ by SKakfpeare
his heroine J a praife that well defer vcs the confideratiati of our
male rcatiers. Cleopatra, as appears from the rctradrachixis of
niony, was no Venus ; and indeed the majority of ladies who
moH fuccefsfuljf cnfiavcd the licarts of princes, arc known to have
been kf* remarkable for pcrfonal than mental attraflions, Tlic
dgn of inHpid beauty is fcldom Ming ; but pertnancnt muft be
• rule of a woman who can divcrfify the famcnefs of life by an
CKha lifted variety of accomplllhracnts.
To JhU is a verb employed by Hey wood in Tic horn J^e,
** One that hath Jfai'dhh coardy tricks at home,**
Steiveks*
^ Ol^cr fWQMtH
Chy ih' apptiiia ihty fetdi hut J^Jt makn ktmgry^
When mtft fit pHfpju ] Almoft the fame ihougHt, dothed
jcarly in the iamc exprcfHonSi is found in the old play of berkksi
** U'ho Itarvci the cars ihe feeds, and nukes them hungry,
" The more Ovc gives them fpeech.*'
kgaiHi in our auihor'& Vtnus and Admh i
" And yet not cloy ihy lips with loathM faflety,
** But rather famifti them amid their plenty/' Ma lone.
I i 3 •
486 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Become themfelvcs in her; ^ that the holy pricfts •
Blcfs her, when fhe is riggifti.'*
Mec. If beauty, wifdom^ modefty, can lecde
The heart of Antony, Odavia is
A blelled lottery to him/
7 Far vilcft things
Become themjehvtf m htr\\ So, ia our aofhor i i roth foniiet %
** Whence haft thou ihis h^cQmitfg of ikmg$ tU?*'
Malonc*
* '^^ihe hij pri^i &c-] In tliis> and the Ibrcgoing ddbripttan
cT Cleopatra's patlage down the Cydnus Dryden feeros to b^vs
cmulatca Shakfpeatc, and not without fucccfs^
** {he's dangciou3 1
*' f fcr eyes h^ve power beyond Thcflkllan chirms,
'< To draw the tnaon froni heaven. Far eloquence,
" The fea-green fircns taught her voice their fljutctjr ;
** And, while flic f peak 5, night flcds upoa the day*
*' liiimark'd of thoie thai hear; Then, fhe's fo chariiiiiig,
*' Age bud^ at fight of her, and fwcUs to youih s
'* The holy priefts gasie on her when fhe fmilcs j
** And with heavM hands, forgcning graFUy*
*• They blefi her wanton eyca/'
Be it remcmlKfed, however, that, in both inilanccs, without ^
fpark from Shakfpc^re, the blaze of Drydcn might not have bcctt
enkindlal- REitJ,
'* ^*^«*«^ /f riggifli*] Rig^ is an ancient word mcaiuog
a Ibumpet. So, in \\'hecftonc's C^Jile of Deiighi, 1 576 :
'* Then loath they will both luft and wanton lore,
" Or elfe be fure fnch rjjg$ my care fliall pfovc,"
Again;
** Immodeit ny^, I Ovid's counfel ufdc/'
Again, in Chtirchyard's Daknms C/Kilf^vcma/!, 1593:
*' About the ftrceu was gadding, gentle rigge,
" With clothes luckt up to fct bad ware to ^e,
** For youth good ftuffe, and for olde age a ftale/'
Again, in J* Davlcs'a Scourge 2f ^^^i>'* printed about the year
" When wanton rig^ or lecher diflblute,
** Do Hand at Paule* Crofs in a — fuite/* Malone.
* m OHa^ia h
*J bldfed lottery {& 6tm>J Du Warburton fays, the poet wrote
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 487
Agr. Let us go.—
Good Enobarbus, make yourfclf my gueft,
Whilftyou abide here.
Eno. Humbly, fir, I thank you.
[Exeunt.
SCENE IIL
7be fame. A Room in Csefar's Houfe.
Enter Caesar, Antony, Octavia between tbemi
Attendants^ and a Soothfayer.
Ant. The world, and my great office, will fome-
times
Divide me from your bofom.
OcTA. AH which time.
Before the gods my knee (hall bow my prayers '
To them for you.
mOmety: but there is no reafon for this aflertion. The ghdl of
Audita in The Spanifi Tragedy ^ fays :
** Minos in graven leaves of lottery
'* Prew forth the manner of my life and death."
Farmbk«
So, in Stanyhorll's tranflation of Firgil, 1582 :
** By this hap efcaping the filth of hutarye carnal."
Again^ in The Honeft Man's Fortune, by Beaumont and Fletcher :
" fainting under
** Fortune's falfc /o//^rjr." Strevens.
Lottery for allotment, Henley.
s ^.^^-fiall bow voy prayers — ] The (ame cooftraftion is found
in Corklanns, A&. I. fc. i ;
** ShoutiHF their emulation/*
Again, in Kin£ Lear, A&, II. fc. ii :
•* 5«/^ joK my ipecches ?"
Modem editors have licentioufly read :
— — 60W in prayers. S t e a v E n s.
Ii4
[Exeuni C^sar and Octavia.
J NT* Now, firrah ! you do wilh yourfelf in
Egypt?
Soofth 'Would I had never come from thence^
nor you
Tliither!*
jfNn If you can, your reafon ?
SooTM, I fee't in
My motion, have it not in my tongue :* But yet
* AnU Gc^d night, dmr iadj^
O^a* Gosd nights Jlr^l Thefc lafl words^ which in the only
aulhetitick copy of this p3i3y are given to Anrony, the modem edi-
lors have alligned to O^via* I fee no need of change. He addrcflcs
himfdfto Cifar, who immediately replies, Gosdnighu Malome,
I have followed the fccond folio, which puts thefr words [with
fufficicnt propriety) into the mouth of Oftavk- Stixtius,
' Antony has alrcad;^ faid '* Good night, fir^" to Ca^ar, in the
three firft words of his fpcech ; the repetition would be abfurd.
l*he editor of the fecond folio appears, from this arid number-
lefs other inRances, to have had a copy of the firlt folio corre^tel
by ^c players J or fomc other well- inform cd pcrfon, RitidK*
* 'Would I had n^*ver come frtm th^nit^ mr jm
Thither I] Both the fcnfc and grammar require that we (hotiM
read hithtr, in^ead oi thither^ To come ^//^r is £nglifh» but to
come thitfjtr is not* The Sooth fay cr advife:5 Antony to hie back
to Egypt, and for the fame reafon wifhes he had never come to
Rome ; bccaufe when they were together^ Csfar's genius had the
afcendaixt over his* M, Mason,
My motion, h€^€ h mi in mj istr^e :} L c, the didnitory
agiution. WAiiflt;iLTow,
ANTONY AND CLE0PATR4, 483
Hie you again to Egypt,^
I Ajit. Say to me^
Whofe fortunes (hall rife higher, Csefar's, or mine ?
Sooth. Caefar's.
Therefore, O Antony, (lay not by his fide:
Thy daemon, that's thy fpirit which keeps thee, is
Noble, courageous, high, unmatchable.
Where Ca^fir's is not ; but^ near him, thy angel
Becomes a Fear/ as being o'crpower*d; therefore*^
Make fpace enough between you.
I
I
Mr- Theobald reads, with ftjme probability, I fee it in my m-
tioM^ Maloke. I
7 Htfjdti sga'm fQ EgvJ^h] Old copy, anmetrically.
Hie jfm ia Egypi agmu STiEVENSg
* Becomes a Fear,] Mr. Upton Tcads;
Becofftfi afear'd, — —
The com moil reading is more poetic alp John so k#
A Ftarvm a pcrfonage in fbme of the old moralitiea, Beaumont
and Fktchcr allude to it in T"^^ Maid's Trtigtdy^ where Afpafia b
iof^rufting her fervants how to defcribt her fimadon in needle-
work:
•* — — and then a Ftnr:
" Do that F^^r bravely , wench/*
Spcofcr had likewife pcrfonificd ivarj in the lafh carjto of the
third book of his Faery ^ueen* la the (acred writings Fesr ii
alfo a perfon :
" I will put a Fear in the land of Egypt/* Ex^dm,
The whole thought is borrowed from Sir T« North's tnmflatioti
of Plutarch : ** \^ iih A n ton i us there \vas a foothfaycr or aftro-
nomer of ^g) pt, that coukle cafl a figure^ and iudgc of men's
naiiuJties, to tell them what Ihonld happen to them. He, either
to pleafe Cleopatra, or elfe for that lie fbunde it fo by his art, told
Amonius plainly, rhat his fortune (which of jt fclfewas excellent
5ood, aiul very great) was altogether blemilhed, and obfcured by
Cscfars fortune ; and therefore he counfclkd him vttcrlv to leauc
bis company^ and to get him as far re from hira as he could. For thy
Demon faid he, (that i;; to fay, the good angcli and fpirit that
kceped) thee) is alfraied of his ; and being coragious and high
when he is alone, becometh fenrfull and timerous wnea he commeth
jaccre vnto the other," Steeveks
1
2
490 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRAT^
Anr* Speak this no more.
Sooth, To none but thcei no more, but when
to thee.
If thou doil play with him at any game^
Thou art fare to lofe ; and, of that natural luck^
He beats thee*gainfl: the odds; thy luftrc thickens.
When he Ihines by ; I fay again^ thy fpirit
Is all afraid to govern thee near him;
But, he away,' 'tis noble.
Ant- Get thee gone ;
Say to Vcntidius, I would fpcak with him : —
[Exti Soothfaycr.
He Ihall to Parthia* — Be it art, or hap,
He hath fpoken true : The very dice obey him ;
And, in our fports^ my better cunning faints
Under his chance : if we draw lots^ he fpeeds:
His cocks do win the battle ftill of mine.
When it isall to nought; and his quails * ever
Our author ha& a little lower exprefTcd his meanmg more plaiftl
" 1 fay again, ihy fpirii
" Is all ufraid to govern ihce near him/'
Wc have this fcnument again ia M&cbeth :
" near him*
•* My genius is rcbuk'd ; as^ k is faid,
" Mark Antony's was by Ca-far's/'
The old copy reads — that thy fpirir. The corre^oiij which
was made in the fecond folio, b fup|joricd by the fottgoing palQ^
in Plutarch, but I doubt whether it is ncceffary. Ma.].oi«i:.
^ Muh ht away,] Old Copy— ^/w^, Co'rreacd by Mr, Popf.
Malqke.
* hiifM4iiii — ] The ancients ofcd to match quails a»we
match cocks. Johnsok.
So, in the old tranQaiion of Plutarch; ** For, it Is laid, clot
a* olten as they two drew cuts for paftime, who ihould haue anv
thing, or whether they plakd at dice, Anionius alway loL
Oftentimes when they were difpofcd to (t/^ cockefight» or quaiki
that were taught to fight one with ajiotherj Cxfars cockci or quiilo
did etier oucrcome/' Stievens,
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 491
Beat mine^ inhoop*d, at odds.^ I will to Egypt :
And though I make this marriage for my peace^
Enter Vbntidius.
I* the eaft my pleafure lies: — O, come, Ventidius,
You muft to Parthia ; your commiffion's ready :
Follow me, and receive it. \^Exeunt.
SCENE IV.
7be fame. A Street.
Enter Lepidus, Mec^nas, and Agrippa.
Lep. Trouble yourfelves no further: pray you^
haften
Your generals after.
Agr^ Sir, Mark Antony
Will eTn but kifs Odavia, and we'll follow.
9 inhoop'd* at odds. '] Thus the old copy. Inhoop^i is iii-
<lofed^ confined^ that they may fi^ita The modem editiom icad :
beat mine, in whoop*d-at odds^-^^ — Johnson.
Shakibeare gives us the pra^c of his own time : and there is
no occauon for in *whoop*d at, or any other alteration. Jot^n Da?ia»
begins one of his epigrams upon prvi^rht :
** He fets cocke on tne hoope»" /«« yoo woold iay i
'' For cocking in hoofes is now all the play*" F-ARMBft^
The attempt at emendation* however, deienres fome seipcA^
as in >^/ jou like it, Celia fays : ** and after that out of alt
'wboofing,** Ste EVENS.
At odds was the phra(eology of Shakipeare's time* So, in
Mortimeriados, by Michael Drayton, no date :
" She ilraight begins to bandy him about,
** At thouiand odds, before the fet goes out," Malokb.
492 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Le/** Till I ftiall fee you in your foIdier*s drcls^
Which will become you both, ikrewcIL
Mec. We fliall.
As I conceive the journey, be at mount *
Before you^ Lepidus.
Lbp. Your way is (horter.
My purpofcs do draw nic much about ;
You*ll win two days upon me.
Mhc, Agr* Sir, good fuccefs !
Xip. Farewell. [Exeuni\
SCENE V.
Alexandria. A Romn in ibe Palace,
Enter Cleopatka^ Charm fan, Iras, and Alzxa^,
€lbo. Give me fome mufick; mufick, moody
food *
Of us that trade in love, ^
Attend* The mufick, ho!
;.* >^-^^ai m&imi — ] i. c* Mount Mt/rmtm, Stecvbns.
Our author probably wrote — a*iif£ mount. Ma lone.
* .■ -mnfick^ moody fiad — ] Thcwss^f h the mind^ or mentai
di/pofiikn* Van Haaren's pancgyrick on rlie EngllQi begins, Gr&9i~
msedig f^pll, [great-mwdfd ^laim,] Perhaps here is a pyor jcft
intended between mood the miffdmd msedr of tuufick* Johniok.
'Mo^dyi in this jnftancc, means mdajuholj, Cotgravc e)ej>lajjis
nmdj^ by the P\cnch words, mumr and trijh^ Steeveks*
* So, in Tkt Com^dj of Ermri :
'* Sweet rccreaiion barr'd* what doth enfue,
" But m&^ and dull mffa»cMj?*' MMoirt,
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA; 493
~" ■ Enter Mardian.
Cleo. Let it alone; let us to billiards : *
Come, Charmian.
CitAR. My arm is fore, beft play with Mardiaji*
CLeo. As well a woman with an eunuch play*d.
As with a woman ; — Come, you'll play with me,
fir?
Mjfi. As well as I can, madam.
Cleo. And when good will is (how'd, though it
cortie too fhort.
The ac^or may plead pardon.^ I'll none now : —
Qive me mine angle, — We'll to the river : there.
My mufick playing far off, I will betray
Tawny-finn'd fifties ; ^ my bended hook Ihall pierce
Their flimy jaws; and, as I draw them up,
I'll think them every one an Antony,
And fay. Ah, ha ! you're caught.
Char. *Twas merry, when
You wager'd on your angling ; when your diver
Did hang a falt-.fifti ^ on his hook, which he
With fervency drew up.
4 Ut us to billiards :1 This is one of the numerous anachro-
nifms that are found in thcfe plays. This game was not known in
ancient times. Malone.
5 Jud nuhen good nvill isfitnv^d^ though it come toojhort^
The aBor may plead pardonJ] A fimilar fcntiment has alrea$ly
appeared in A Mid/ummer'Night*s Dream :
" For never any thing can be amifs,
«' When fimplenefs and duty tender it." Steivbns.
♦ Ttnuny-finn d fijhes \\ The firil copy reads:
Ta<wny fine ffies, Johnson.
Corredled by Mr. Theobald. Malone.
1 Did hart7 a fait fijh &c.] This cirGumftance is likewiib taken
from Sir Thomas North's tranflacion of the life of Antony in
Plutarch. Steevens.
494 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Clbo. That time ! — O times I —
I laugh'd him out of patience; and that night
I laugh'd him into patience: and next morn.
Ere the ninth hour, I drunk him to his bed ;
Then put my tires and mantles on him^ whilft
I wore his fword PhilippanJ O! from Italy; —
Enter a Mcffenger-
Ram thou thy fruitful tidings* in mine cars^
That long time have been barren.
^MJl
I *w&re hit fm&ri Fhilipp4inC\ We are not to fuppofc* nor is
there ^n^? warranfe from hiftory, ihac Antony had any parricukr
fword fo en lied • The dignifying weapons* in this fort, is a cuftom
of much more recent date. This tlicrcforc fcemsa compliniexit m
p&perhrh We find Antony, afterwards, in ihis^ pby^ boaftijig of
his own prowcfs at Fhilippi r
*' Am, Yes, my lord, yes; heatPhilippikept
" His fftord e'en like a dancer j while I flruck
" The lean and wrinkled Cafllus;" &c.
That was the greatcft aftion of Antony's life ; and thefcforr thi*
fcems a fine piece oC flattery, imimatinf, that this fword ought
to be denominated from thai illuftriotis battle, in the fame manner
as modern heroes in romance aiie made to give dieir fword* pom pout
names* Theobald.
^ Vs.'^m thm (hy fmltful tidingt — ] Shakfpcare probably wrote,
(as Sir 7% Hanmer obferves) ^17/^ thm &c, R&in agree* better
witii tlie epithets frmtffii^^d itarrtH, So, in Tim&n:
" Rnin facrificial whifpVing^ in his car,"
Again, in 77j^ Temptfi :
** ■ Heavens ram grace 1' * St e E V E n* s.
I fufpcft no corruption* The term employed in the text is mneh
in the ftylc of the fpeaker ; and ii fupportcd incontcftably by a
paffagc in Juiius Cafar •
" i go to meet
•* The noble Brutus, ihmping this report
Again, In Cjmhch'fte z
•* fay, and fptak thick,
** (Love's counfellor (hottldyf// the hra tf hearings
** T^ the fmQthtrmg of the fenjt^] how far/' ire,
7 " ^
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, 495
Mes. Madam, madanij —
Cleo. Antony's dead ? —
If thou fay fo> villain, thou kill'ft thy miftrcfs :
But well and free,^
If thou fo yield him, there is gold^ and here
My bluefl veins to kifs ; a hand, that kings
Have lipp*d, and trembled kifTing*
Mes* Firft, madam, he's welL
Cleo, Why, there's more gold. But, firrah^
mark; We ufe
To fay, the dead are well : bring it to that.
The gold I give thee, will I melt, and pour
Down thy ill-uttering throat _
Mes, Good madam, hear me.
Cleo, Well, go to, I will j
But there's no goodnefs in thy face : If Antony
Be free, and healthful, — why fo tart a favour
To trumpet fuch good tidings? * If not well^
Again, in Tk^ Tcmftft :
" You crffm tlitCc words ittto my eari^ 3galn{t
•• The ilomach of my fenfe/' Maloke-
Ram \s a \^ulgar word» never ufed in our anchor's plays, butoace
by FalftalF, where he defcribes his fituation in the buck-ba fleet. In
the paflagc before us, it is evidently a mifprlnt for rain. — The qtio*
tation from ^jv/i>/j C^rfardoc^ not fiipport the old reading at all, the
idea being perfcdiy dilHnft. R n so n ,
Ramm'df however, occurs in Kitigjohrt:
'* Have we ramm'd up your gates againft the world,"
« Bul^wtUmd frtt^ ^c] This fpeceh i^ but caldly Imitated b/
Beaumont and Fletcher in Tht Fsljt O^-r :
" C/rtJ/. What of him? Speak: if ill, Apollodarus,
" It is my happinefs : and for thy news
•* Receive a favour kings have kneel'd in vaki for^
** And kifs my handi'* STEsvesis*
* . If Antsny
Bffret, a fid if^//4^«/,-^wKy /a fari a/a^vcftr
T^ trumftijkib ^d tfdiftgs /] The old copies hare ml the ad-
4^6 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA?^
Thou fhould'ft come like a fury crown'd with
fnakes,
Not like a formal man,*
Mbs, WilVt pi cafe you hear me ?
CiEo. I have a mind to ftrike thcC| crc thou
fpeak*ft :
Yet J if thou fay, Antony lives, is well.
Or friends with Caefar,* or not captive to him,
lil fet thee in a fliower of gold, and hail
Rich pearls upon thee**
^erb — iwAf J but, aiMr. M, Mafon obferv^, fomcwhat was want-
ing in the fccond of thefe lines ^ both to ihc fcnfe and to the metre.
He has, therefore* no doubt but the pallagc ought to nm thus ;
If Antonj
Sefreet and keaifkfui^-^'whj fo iari ufmmtr
I'i, ufher l^c, ^
I have availed mj^clf of this neccfla^T- expletive, which I fijul
alfo in Sir Thomas Hanmer's edition, Steevens#
I fufpe^ a word was omitted at ihc prcfs, and thai Shakfpeare
wrote ;
— If Antonr
Be ffce, and healthful, nceit fo tart a favour, &e.
M^Loirt.
^ Noi ay a fotrnMil mnn,'\ Decent, regular. Johksdn,
By a formai tnan, Shakfpcare means^ a man (n his Ji^Jtu ln^
fsTmai women, in Meafure fnr Mmjure, is ufcd for women i^ej!^
ihemfehet* SrilVEffS,
JformijimuNt I believe, only means a man in firm ^ i*t^/^afe^
You (hould come in the firm of a fury, and not in the form or a
man, So^ in A mad World mj Miift^ts^ by Middleton, i 6q8 ;
'• Tlic very devil affam*d thee firmatij"
u e. affumed thy form* Malone.
^ Tftt if i^^fi fijf Aftmy lixth is 'wri/t
Or/rimds 'wiik Cafar^ £^f.] The old copy fcads — ^*iii well.
We furely fiiould read is tmlL The meflenger is to have his re*
ward, if he fays, that Antony is ai$^*t^ in hi^alih^ and riikfcr frimdi
^with Ctefar^ or »o£ cspiivt to him. T Y R w H 1 T T,
* ra fei thee in a jBfywtr of g&ld, and haii
Rkh fcarii mpm tb^e,^ That isj I will give thee a kiQ|dom t
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Mbs* Madam, he's well.
497
r
I
I
I
Cleo. Well faid*
Mbs* And friends with Cjefar.
Cleo, Tho'urt an honeft man*
Mes, Caefar and he arc greater friends than ever,
Cleo* Make thee a fortune from me*
Mes. But yet, madam^ —
Cleq, I do not like but yit^ it does allay
The good precedence ; ^ fyc upon but yet :
Bui yet is as a gaoler to bring forth
Some monftrous malefactor. Pr'ythee, friend.
Pour out the pack ^ of matter to mine ear.
The good and bad together : He's friends with
Csefar ;
tn ftate of health, thou fay'fl: ; and, thou fay 'ft, free.
Mes. Free, madam ! no ; I made no fuch report :
He's bound unto Oc?tavia.
Cleo* For what good turn?
Mms, For the befl turn i' the bed.
it being the eailern ceremony, at the coronation of their kings, to
pow^lcr rhcm with gdd-duft and fitd-pearli fo Milton :
*' the gorgeous caft with liberal hand
" Showers on her kings barbaric pearl ;md j-fl/^/'
In the Life of Timur-bec or Tamerlane, writ ten by a FcHiiii
ctJQferoporary author, arc the folIowiDg words, as tranflated by
Mofif* Petit de la Croix, in the account there given of his coro^
nation, book ii* chap» i. " Les prinus du fang rnyul tff hi em in
repandirmi a phims mains fur fa tiit ^fmniiii d'or ^ de pierreriit
fdon la costume/* WAHBtJRToN,
^ - — ^ */ does aihy
The good precedence ;] i, e. abates the good quality of what is
alf^dy reported. Steevens,
■ — the pad — ] A late editor [Mr, Capell] reads : dj pack.
Reed.
I believe our author wrote — r^y pack, TBe,, ikee^ and ify^ arc
frtqiacntly confounded in the old copy* Maloni,
Vol. XII. k k
498 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA-
Clso. I am pik^ Charm iaa*
Mes. Madam^ he's married to 0£bvia»
Clbo. The moft infe^flious pcftilcnce upon thee !
ISinkes Mm down.
Mbs, Good madam, patience*
CiEO* What fay you? — Hence,
IStrikes bim agaidim
Horrible villain! or I'll fpurn thine eyes
Like balls before me ; 1*11 unhair thy head %
[She hales him up and dmum^
Thou fhalt be whipp'd with %vire,and ftew'd in brine.
Smarting in ling ring pickle.
Mbs. Gracious madam,
I, that do bring the news, made not the match,
Cleo, Say, 'tis not fo> a province I will give thee^
And make thy fortunes proud : the blow thou hadtt
Shall make thy peace, for moving me to rage; ^
And I will boot thee with what gift befide
Thy modefty can beg,
Mes. He*s married, madam.
Clbo. Rogue^ thou haft liv'd too long.
\^draws a dagger J
Mes. Nay, then MI run :— .
What mean you, madam ? I have made no fault*
CtjjR. Good madam, keep yourfclf within your-
felfj*
The man is innocent.
^ m^^iranvt a t^a^gin^ The old CO^y ^-^Drafw a h^r*
^ STiivEirs^
Sec VoK VIL p- J76, n. 7* MAioKi-'
■ ^~* keep ymr/fif *witbm jmrfilf \\ u t. contain yourfclf^ re-
flrain your paffion witliin bounds.. So, in Thi Taiftixg of a Sifn^v *
** Doubt not, coy bid, we can cfmtam ourfelves/' St8cve»s»
I
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 499
Cleo. Some innocents 'fcape not the thunder-
bolt.—
Mck Egypt into Nile!^ and kindly creatures
Turn all to ferpents! — Call the flave again;
Though I am mad^ I will not bite him : — Call*
Ci^AR. He is afeard to come.
Cleo. I will not hurt him: —
Thcfe hands do lack nobility, that they ftrike
A meaner than myfelf;* fincc I myfelf
Have given myfelf the caufe.— *Come hither* fin
Re-enter Meflenger,
Though it be honeft, it is never good
To bring bad news i Give to a gracious meflage
An hoft of tongues ; but let ill tidings tell
Themfelv es> when they be felt.
« Mr// Mgypt mto Nihf] So, in the firfl fcene of thii play:
*' Let Rome in Tybcr jwr//,'* &c, Steevbnk
» Thife handt d^ Imk nQhilitj^ thai they ftrike
A mf^mr than my/elf (] Tills thoLiEhc fcems ta be borrawcd
from the laws of chivalry* which forbad a knight lo engage with
liii inlericr. So, in Aihumnxar:
'* Stay ; underfland^ft thou well the points of duel ?
^^^ " Art bom of gentle blood, and pure dcfcent ? —
^^H ** Was none of alt thy lincag^ hang'd or cuckold ?
^^H ** B^ftard, or batHnado'd .^ is ihy pedigree
^^^P ** A% long and wide as mine ? — for otherwife
^^Hl* •• Thon wen moft nnworthy, and 'twere lofs of honour
^^^P *^ In me to fight." Steevens«
Perhaps here was intended an indircft cetifure of Qneen EH*
^tabeth^ for her un princely and unfcmlnine treatment of the amiable
Earl of EiTex, The play was probably not produced till after her
death, when a ftroke at her proud and paflionate dcmeanoiir to her
courtiers and maids of honour (for her majefly ufed to chafUfc /j&r«
too) mighi be fafely hazarded. In a fobfequem part of this fcenc
there is (as Dn Grey hasobferved} an evident alltilion toElimbeth's
inquifies concerning the perfon of her rival* Mary, Quccii of
Scoti, Malonf,
K k 2
50O ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Mes. I have done my duty.
Cleo. Is he married?
I caiinot hare thee worfcr than I do,
If thou again fay. Yes.
Mes. He is married, madam*
Cl£0' The gods confound thee ! doft thou hold
there ftill ?
Mes* Should I lie, madam?
Cleo* O, I would, thou didft;
So half my Egypt were fubmcrg*d,' and made
A ciftcrn for fcaFd fnakes! Go, get thee hence;
Had* ft thou NarcilTus in thy face, to me
Thou would* ft appear moft ugly-* He is married ?
Mes. I crave your highnefs* pardon •
CiEo* He is married ?
Mes. Take no offence, that I would not offend
you:
To punifli me for w hat you make me do.
Seems much unequal ; He is married to Ottavia,
CiEo, O, that his fault fliould make a knave of
thee.
That art not!— What? thou'rt fure of't?^ — Get
thee hence :
^ — 'w^jv fQbroerg'dj] S»lmerg*J k whelni'd under water.
So» in The Martial MmJ, by Bcautnont and Fletcher %
'* ^fpoird, loft, nviA /khm€rg*d in the inundation/' &c
4 ,
- /fl tnf
Thau imjiid*Ji affmr m&fi »^^.] So, in JtVj*^ Jft&ir, Afl IIL
fc. i:
*■ Fellow, be gone ; I carniol brook thy fight ;
** This news hath raadc fhc?e a m^ u^ij man/*
* TJ^dt 0ri M&i /*^Wif&f .f fl^ju'rf/Mn &/*t}] Old copy;
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 501
The mcrchandife, which thou haft brought from
Rome^
For thb, which is not eafily underilood. Sir Thomas Haiimer
has given
TBai fay'il but nvkat tUu^rt Jure ^f!
1 am not fatisfied with the change * which, though it afunis
fcnfc, exhibits little fpirit. 1 fancy me Enc confiils only of abrupt
Ibrts,
O thai hh fauli fitouid mskf a kna%'c 4^/ thtft
That art— HOI what } — 'J iiou'rt ftire on't^ Get thee hence :
not hii fuuh jhmii mak^ a kna^t &f iher thai art — but what Jh^ll
I fay ihm art mt f Thou art then Aire of this marriagt.-^J^^tx thee
hence.
l}t. Warburton has received Sir T. Hatimer's emcn<iation,
JOHNSOIf,
\nMtnfurt far Mcajure^ A£fe H, fc* lu is a paflage fo much ne-
fcmbling this, that 1 cannot help poinring it out for the ufe of
fome future commcntaTtjr, ibougb lam unable to apply it with
fuccef^ to the very diflicult line liefore us :
*' Dreft in a little brief authority,
'* Mo// tgmrant of njohat he*t meft affurd^
** HisglaOy cifence/^ Steevens.
That art nnr ^hat tlmu^rt fttre sff] i, c. Thou art not an honeft
iitant of which thou artthyfelfalTuredj btit thou art in my opintoti
a knave by thy maikr's fault alone, Tollet,
A proper punduaiionj with the addition of a (ingle letierj will
make this paflagc clear ; the reading oi Jurt &f*t inftead of /nre ofl
Of tliat hij* tault fhould make a rogue of thee
That art not l^Whai ? thou'rt fure &f'i,^
That is. What? aic you fure of what you tell me, that he is
inarricd to O^via ? M. Mason,
I fufpe^, the editors have endeavoured to correct this paflagc
in the wrung phice. Cleopatra begins now a little to rccollSl
hcf felf, and to be afhanicd of having ftruck the fervant for the
fauU of his mafter. She then very naturally exclaims,
*' O^ that his fault (hould make a knave of thee,
" That art not what thou'rt fore oil*
for fo I would read, with the change of only one letter. — Alas, is
it not ftrange, that the fault of Antony (hould make thee appear
to me a knave, thee, that art innocent, and art not the caufc of
that ill news, in confequc nee of which thou art yti fvre with my
blows !
If it be faid, that it h very harlh to foppofc that Clcoptra
K k3
502 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Arc all too dear for me ; Lie they upon thy hand.
And be undone by 'em ! [£^7/ Mencnger,
Char* Good your highnefs, patience*
Clbo^ In praifing Antony, I have difprais*d
Cxfar.
Chjr^ Many times, madam.
Clio, I am paid for'E now.
Lead me from hence,
I faint; O Iras, Charmianj — 'Tis no matter:—
Go to the fellow, good Alexas; bid him
Report the feature of Oflavia,*' her years.
mtans to fay to the rndTenger* that h U not himrelf that ifi/^rma-
thn which he brings^ and which has now made him fm^rt, let thie
following pttiTage in Curi<iianus anfwcr the objc^"tion :
" Left JOM Ihould chance to whip jrour infirm&ti&n,
" And beat the meflengcr that bida beware
** Of what is to be dreaded."
The Eg>'ptian queen has beaten her inf^rmathn*
If tile old copy be right, the meaning is* Strange, that his fault
ftould make thee appear a knave, who art not that information of
which thou bringeft fuch certain aflfurancc* Malqne.
I have adopted the arrangement kc. propofcd, with fingnlar
acuicnefs, by Mr- M. Mafon i and have ihe greaicr confidence in
it, becaufe I received the very fame emcDdation from a gentleman
who had never met wiih the work in which it fiift occurred.
''* the feature^ O^o^ii?,] By fiature feems to be meant
thou art." Spenfcr \xk& Jeatun fox the whole turn of the body,
Fsety ^eeu, B, L C. viii :
** Thus when they had the witch difrobed quite*
*• And all her filthy fimun open Ihown."
Again, in B. IIL c, ix :
" She alfo doft her heavy haberjeon,
** Which the fair fiatuft tf her iimbs did hide/'
STEEViKSt
Our author has already in As jm Like if, ufed feature for ih^
general caft of face. Sec Vol, VI, p. loj^ n. j, Malo»e,
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 503
Her inclination^ let him not leave out
The colour of her hair ;^ — bring me word quick-
ly,— [Exii Alexas,
Let him for ever go:* — Let him not — Charmian*
Though he be painted one way like a Gorgon^
T' other way he's a Mars ;^ — Bid you Alexas
[Ta Mardian*
Bring me word, how tall (lie is,— Pity me. Char-
mian^
But do not fpcak to me. — Lead me to my chamber.
[ExeunL
? ^.--p- let htm mt Um^t nut
The cdctir cf hr hair :] This is One of Shakrpearc's mafterly
touches, Cleopatra, after bidding Charmian lo enquire of the
mcflengcr concerning the Iwaury^ age, and temperament of Oiflavia,
immediately adds, let him n$r Uirue sur ihe cokur of hrt kairi as
from ihence ihe might be able to judge for herfclf* of her rivals
propcniity lo tbofe plcafuTes, tipon which her paffion for Antony
was founded , Henley,
Verily, I would, for the inftrudion of mine ignorance, that
the commentator had dealt more diffufedly on this dcieflable fub-
jc^, for 1 can in no wife di^nne what coloured hair is to be re-
garded as moft indicative of venereal motions ; — perhaps indeed
the Ji*^iw ;^^ii*i ; and yet, without experience, certainty may
ftiU be wanting to mine appetite for knowledge* Cmt^a priui Uj$*
la/fda, faiih that waggifh poet Ovidius Nafo. Amnir.
* Lfi him fir fvergo:} She ii now talking in broken fcntences,
mot of the mdrenger, but Antony, Johnson..
*' '• 5^ other ^aj i^'j a Mar/,' J In thb paiTage the fcnfe h clear^
but, I think, may be much improved by a very little ahcration*
^ Cleopatra, in her pailion upon the news of Antony's marriage^
iayss ,
«* Let him for ever go ; — Let him net — Charmian,*—
" Though he be pamtcd one way tike a Gorgoji#
*' T' otl^r way he's a Mars." —
ThiSi I think, would be more fpirited thus :
Lft him for ever go — iei jfij>s— no,- — Cbarmiatii
Tht^figh hi hi pmnied^ ^c. Tr iwaiTT,
K k
504 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
SCENE vi:
Near Mifenum.
Enter Pompey^ and Men as, at one Jide, wiib drum
and trumpet : at anotber^ Cmsak^ Lepidus^ An-
tony, Enobarbits, Mecjenas^ wiib foldicrs
Pom. Your hoftages I have, fo have you mine ;
And we Ihall talk before we fight.
Cms- Moft meet.
That firft we come to words i and therefore have wc
Our written purpofcs before us fent :
Which, if thou haft confider'd^ let us know
If *twili tie up thy difcontentcd fword ;
And carry back to Sicily much tall youth.
That elfe muft perilh here.
PoM. To you all three,
The fenators alone of this great world.
Chief factors for the gods^^ — 1 do not know.
Wherefore my father fhould revengers want.
Having a fon, and friends ; fince Julius C^efar,
Who at Philippi the good Brutus ghofted,^
There faw you labouring for him. What was it.
That mov'd pale Caflius to confpirc ? And what
Made the^ all-honour*d, honeft, Roman Brutus,
With thearm'd rcft^ courtiers of beauteous freedonrij
To drench the Capitol i but that they would
^ ^^^ih good BmtHi ghofied J This verb h alfo ofcd by Bur-
ton, in his Mstom^ of Meiaftcholj, Preface p. 21. edit. i6^%^
** Whal madndTe gJijofii this old mai^ f bttt wbat madndTc ^%7f m
all? Stebvens,
^ Made tbe *— ] Thus the fccond folio. In the firft, the article
'— litf is omitted, to the laaoifcft iBJ ury of the metre. Ste i v e n s.
I
I
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 50J
Have one roan but a man ? And that is it*
Hath made me rig my navy; at whofe burden
The angcr'd ocean foams i with which I meant
To fcourge the ingratitude that defpiteful Rome
Caft on my noble father.
Cms. Take your time.
Ant. Thou canft not fear us/ Pompey^ with thy
fails,
We*ll fpcak with thee at fea : at land, thou know*ft
How much we do o'er-count thee.
Pom. At land, indeed^
Thou dotl o*er-count mc of my father's houfe : ^
But, fince the cuckoo builds not for bimfelf/
' Thm canft mi fear »/,] Thou canft oot affnght us with thy
numerous na vy , Johnson,
So, in Mf^furefir Meafitre :
'* Setting itup, to yt^r the birds of prey/* Steiviks*
4 At iand, inJfrd^
Th&u Sfi s^rr^romit mt of mj father's h^u/e :} At land indeed
thou doll exceed me in poiTeffions^ having added to thy own my
felher*i houfe, O^tt-cmnt feems to be ufed equivocally, and Pompejr
perhaps meant to infbuate that Antony not only mt-nurnhfred^ but
had (^vtr^rtmhcd^ hinn» The circumflance here alluded to our
luihor found in the old franflation af Plutarch : " Aftcrward^j
when Pompcy's houfc was put to open fakv Amonius bought it ;
but **fhen they afked him money for it, he made it very ilratingt,
and was offended with them/*
Agsin; '* Whereupon Antonius aikcd him [Scxtus Pompelus,]
Aad where Ihall we fup ? 1 here, fayd Pompcy ; and Showed him
his admiral galley, which had lix lynches oi' owcrs : that faid he
is my father t hmje thcy have left me. He fpakc it to taunt An-
tonius, becaufc ht had hh fnthtrt haap^ tl^t was Pempcy the
grralp" Secp*5ii^ 014. Malone.
i But^ fin€? the tu^km huilds mt for himfiif kc] Since, like the
cackooj that feize^ the nctts of other birds, you have invaded a
houfe which you could not build » keep it whUc you caot
JOHVSOIf,
^, in P, Holland s tranflation of Plmj^ B. X* ch< ix :
'* Thefc (cuckows) lay alwaie® in other birds' nclb/'
5o6 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA-
Remain m% aa thou may^ft*
Lep, Be pleased to tell u«,
f For this is from the prefent/) how you take
The offers we have fent you.
Cms* There's the point,
jfxT. Which do not be entreated to, but weigh
What it is worth embrac'd.
Cms. And what may follow^
To try a larger fortune.
FoM\ You have made me offer
Of Sicily, Sardinia; and I mufl:
Rid all the fea of pirates j then, to fend
Meafures of wheat to Rome : This Agreed upon.
To part with unhack'd edges, and bear back
Our targe * undinted.
Cms* Asr* Lef. That's our olTer.
Pom. Know then,
I came before you here, a man prepard
To take this offer: But Mark Antony
Put me to fome impatience : — Though I lofe
The praife of it by telling. You mufl know.
When Csefar and your brothers were at blows.
Your mother came to Sicily, and did find
Her welcome friendly*
Ant* 1 have heard it, Pompey i
And am well ftudied for a liberal thanks,
Which I do owe you.
Pom. Let me have your hand :
I did not think, fir, to have met you here.
* ^ ,/J&f^ IS /rem ihepre/tfit^'] j. e. foreigo ro ihe ohjc^ of owt
prcfcnt difcufljon. Sec Vol. Ill, p. 7, n. 7. Stievsns,
^ Qtirmr^i'^\ OlcUapy, unmet rically—*targe/. STftiviKi,
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 507
Anr. The beds i' thceaft are foft; and thanks
,. f to you,
That caJl'd me, timelier than my purpofe, hither;
b For I have gain'd by it.
■ Cms. Since I faw you laft,
I There i$ a change upon you*
■ Pom, Well, I know not
What counts harlh fortune calls upon my face;*
But in my bofom Ihall ilie never comc^
To make my heart her vaflaL
K L&B. Well met here.
F Pom. I hope fo, Lepidus- — Thus we are agreed :
I crave, our compofition may be written.
And feal'd between us.
I Cms, That's the next to do.
Pom, We'll feaft each other, ere we part i and
let us
' Draw lots, who fhall begin.
tANT, That will I, Pompey.
Pom, No, Antony, take the lot : ' but, firft.
Or laft, your fine Egyptian cookery
Shall have the fame. I have heard, that Julius
Casfar
Grew fet with fcafting there.
Ant* You have heard much.
Pom. I have fair meanings/ fin
Akt^ And fair words to them.
* If hat counts barfi fiftimt cafts &c^] Meta|>hor from malting
mifks or lines in c a fling accounts in antbmetick. Was. burton,
^ i&kt tht /fl/ :] Pcrhapa (a fy liable being here wanting to
the metre,) our author wrote :
** take ^►^ the lot ^ — ." Steevbks.
' meanmgt^'] Forpier eilitions, mtanwg^ Reed.
The corrc^on was fuggcjlcd by Mft Heathy Maloni,
5oSS ANTONY AND CLEpPATRA.
Pom* Then fo much have I heard : —
And I have heard, ApoUodorus carried —
Eno. No more of that : — He did fo.
Pom. What, I praf you?
Et^o* A certain queen to Caefar in a mattrefs.^
Pom. I know thee now ; How far*fl: thou, foldier?
Eno. ^ Well;
And well am like to do; for, I perceive^
Four feafts are toward.
Pom* Let me Jhake thy hand ;
I never hated thee : I have feen thee fight.
When I have envied thy behaviour*
Eno, Sir,
I never lov'd you much ; but I have prais*d you.
When you have well deferv*d ten times as much
As I have faid you did.
Pom. Enjoy thy plainncfs.
It nothing ill becomes thee, —
Aboard my galley I invite you all ;
Will you lead, lords ?
Cms. Am. Lep. Show us the way, fir.
Pom. Come.
l^Exeuni Pom FEY, C^sjir, Anton y, LfPiDUS,
Soldiers^ and Attendants,
Men, Thy father, Pompey, would ne*er have
made this treaty. — [ajide,^ — You and I have known,
fir/
I A certain quern i& C^fkr im a mattrcfs*] L e^ To Julius C^f^ir.
This is from the margin of North's Fhtarch, 1 579 : " Ciettp^iru
truiM Dp /// 1* maitreji^ and fo brought /o Ca^ar, upon Ap»ihd^rm$
backe-" RirsoK*
* T&M und I h(tv€ ittmvfF^ ^r,] 1, c, been acquainted. Sop in
Cjmbtlmt: ** Sir, we have kmvfn (^gtibtw at Orkans**' S ri ev eks.
*
I
I
\
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 509
Eso* At fea, I think.
Mbm* We have^ fir,
Eno* You have done well by water.
Afi/iT. And you by land-
Eno. I will praife any man Lhat will praife me :*
rhough it cannot be denied w hat I have done by land.
Men* Nor what I have done by water.
End. Yes, fomething you can deny for your own
fafety : you have been a great thief by fea.
Men^ And you by land.
jEato, There I deny my land fervice. But give
me your hand, Menas: If our eyes had authority^.
here they might take two thieves kifling.
Mek> All men's faces are true, whatfoe'cr their
I}ands are.
Eno. But there is never a fair woman has a true
face.
Men* Nonandcr; they fleal hearts.
End. We came hither to fight with you.
Men* For my part, I am forry it is turn'd to a
drinking, Pompey doth this day laugh away his
fortune*
End. If he do, fure, he cannot weep it back
again.
Men, You have faid, fir. We look'd not far
Mark Antony here ; Pray yoUj is he married to
Cleopatra?
9 / fwrfl praife ^ny mmt that fwtii praife me ;] The poet's art in
delivering this humorous fcnument (winch gives us lb very irtie
and mmral a picture of the commerce of ihc world) can ne\*erbc
fufficiend)' aclmired. The confeflion could come from none btit a.
frank and rough charafler like the fpeakcr*s : and the moral IcflTon
inj&nuated under it, iliai Ji/n/iiy can make its way through ihe moft
^ubboro manners, dcfervcii our fcrious jrcfteition, VYARsy&Ton.
7
Pray you, fir?
*Tis true.
Then is Caefar^ aad he, for ever knit to-
510 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA^
Eno. Caefar^s fifter is call'd Odavia.
Mem, True, fir ; fhe was the wife of Caius Mar-
cellus.
Enq. But (lie is now the wife of Marcus Anto-
nius.
Men.
Eno*
Men.
gether.
End. If I were bound to divine of this unity,!
would not prophecy fo.
Men. I think, the policy of that purpofe made
more in the marriage, than the love of the parties.
Eno. I think fo too. But you fhall fmd^ the
band that feems to tie their friendihip together,
will be the very ftrangler of their amity: Oftavia
is of a holy, cold, and ftlll converfation.^
Men> Who would not have his wife fo?
Eno. Not he, that himfelfis notfo; which if
Mark Antony, He will to his Egyptian diffi
again! then fliall the fighs of Odavia blow the fire
up in Caefar; and, as I faid before, that which if
the ftrcngth of their amity, (hall prove the irmne^
diate author of their variance. Antony will ufc
his afFedtion where it is; he married but his occi*
fion here.
Men. And thus it may be. Come, fir, will yo«
aboard? I have a health for you,
Eno. I fltall take it, fir : we have us'd our throati
in Egypt.
Mmn\ Come; let*s aMay. [ExtmBt,
^ —^ — €0m:^rfitfhn^^ i. e, behaviour, manner of A^ing masm-
©lon life, 5o, in Fjaim xxx\iL 14: '* ^to Uiy fucfi tt be of
upright tmtVi r/mknt " S T E f V E K I ,
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 511
I
I
I
I
SCENE VIi;
On hard Pompcy's Gaiiey, lying near Mifenunu
Mujitk. Enter two or three Servants, with a banquet^
1. SEnp\ Here they'll be, mani Some o' their
plants* are ilUrooted already, the leaft wind i' the
world will blow them down.
2. Serf* Lepidus is high-colour'd.
I, S%Rf^* They have made him drink alms-drink/
!• SuRr* As they pinch one another by the dif-
pofition,^ he cries out, no more; reconciles them to
Ms entreaty, and himfelf to the drink.
I, Sbbf, But it raifes the greater war between
him and his difcretion.
^ ■ ^ nvifh a banquet,] A banquet in our au thorns time fie-
QQcndy fignified what wc now call a dcfert ; and from ihc following
dialogue 5ie word muft here be underltood in that fenfe. So, in
JLordCrpmnjutitt 1602 : ** Their dinner k oar hanq&tt after dmneti."
Again, in Hcath^s Chrmicie cf ihe Ci^tl W^in^ 1661- " Aft€r
dittntTf he was fervcd with a haffpfet^ in the canclufion whereof he
knighted Alderman Vincr." Ma lone,
" J ,^^ Same 0' their Y^mU — ] Pl^nir^ be fidn its Common mean-
ing, th here ufed for the>>o/, from the Latiu, Johnson.
So, in Thomas Lupton's Tkjf*i B&&ke of mtahU Thmgt, 4to»
bt l. " Grinde muilarde with viucgerj and mbbe it wcU on the
j^tantt or folcs of the fecte'' &c* Stievens.
^ Thty hirvt mitde him drink alm*-drink.] A phrafe, among ft
good fellows, to fignify that Hquor of another ""s marc which bii
companion drinks to eafe him. But it fatiricaUy alludes to Csfar
and Antony's admittijig him into the triumvirate, in order to cakg
off from themfclves the load of envy* W * a b uaxo N,
* Ai tbcj^imh mt amthtr hy (bf dij}ufhm,} A |>hrafe cquii'alent
lothatngw in ufe, of T^Hthiag anf ih n f^^rf pl^ct. WASBi/ftrof^.
512 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA,
2. Serf* Why» this it i$ to have a name in great
men*s fellowftiip: I had as lief have a reed that
will do me no fervice, as a paitizan*^ I could not
heave,
i* SgRF. To be call'd into a huge fpherep and
not to be fcen to move in't^ are the holes where
eyes ihouid be^ wMch pitifully difaftcr the checks,^
* ■ a parits^ft ] A pikc« JoHKioit*
So* In HamUf .-
•* Shall I ftrike at ii widi my fartrz&rt ^*' Sti evens.
' Ta h called mt& a huge fphtrt^ and mt f& he ptn iQ mox/i wfV*
ffU the hoiei m'here tyet Jhmildhf\ nx^hkh filifuUy iifrfizr the €hifks^\
Thi* fpcecTi rcems to be mutlbred ; !o fupply the dcficjencics Is
frapofiibk, but perhaps the fetife was originally approaching to
ihis :
Ttf he iflHtd into a k^ge fphere^ and trm n he Jem fi? w«v ^ it, il
a very ignominious ftate j great tMccA are ike Met *wkere ejit
Jhuld &tt 'which, if cyc5 be wanting* piiifuify difitfler the ehreks*
JoRltSOK.
In the eighth book of the Ci'vii Wart, by DanieU ft. 1 03* is a
pafTage which rtremblesthb, though it wiU h:m)ly ferve Co ocpUta
It, The cirl of Warwick fa\'S to nu canfcflTor :
** I know that I am fix^dxniQ a/pktff
" That it ardaind fa move. It h the pUce
" My fate appoints me ^ and the region where
** I muftp whatever happens there embrace-^
*' Diilurbance, travail, labour* hope and icar*
" Are of that clime, ingcnder'd in that place;
*' And a<flion bcfl, 1 fee, becomes the bcft :
" The ftars that b^vc moft glory, have no reft/'
Sxtrviks,
The thought, though miferabh'- exprelTedj appears to be thi«..^
That a man called iMo a high fphere without being feen to move
in it, is a fight as unfeemly as the holes where the eyes fhould be,
without eyes to fill them, M, Masok-
J do not believe a fingle word has been omitted. The being
called into a huge fphere, and not being fecn to move in it, the£
two circumftances, fays the fpeakcr, refemblc fockets in 1 fac^
where eyes Ihouid be, [but arc not,] which empty foclcets^ or
boles without eyes, pi ti fully disfigure the countenance*
The fphere in which the ejc moves, is an cxprcffion which
Sbakfpeare has often yfed. Thus, la his 1 19th Sonnet :
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 513
I
Apnnet founded. Enter C^sar, Anton v, Pom pet^
LepiduSj Agrippa, MecjENaSj EnobarbuSj
ME^fAs, zviib olber Captains.
Ant* Thus do they, fir: [/^ C.^sar*] They take
the flow o* the Nile*
By certain fcales i' the pyramid i they kuow^
" How have mine ty^ out of xhdf /phns been fitted,** icc^
Agaln^ \n HamUi .' i
»*• Make thy two eyes, like ftars, ftarc from their fj^hens.'^
Ma LOWE.
• • Thty ieh thrflpTjti^' the Nile — ] Pliny, fpcakiog of the
Nile, Tap, ** How high it rifeth, is knowne by marker and mca-
fufc^ taken of certain pits. The ordinary height of it is fixtceti
cuhites. Under that gage, the watem overflow not alU Above
that ftint, there are a let and hindrance, by reafon that the later
k is crc they bee failen and downe againcp Bjr thefc the fced-tims
h much of it fpe nt, for that the earth is too wet. By the oiher
there h none at all, by reafoa that the ground is drie and thifftic.
The province laketh good kecpe and reckoning of both, the oac
as well as the other- For when it is no higher than 1 2 cubites, it
findeth eittieame famine; yea, and at ijit fetleth hunger fti! I;
1 4 cubiics comforts their hearts, i g bids them take no care, but,
16 affordeth them plcntie and delicious dainties. So foone as any
part of the land is freed from the water, ftreight waies it is fowed,"
Phikmfin Holland* M Tranflation^ 1601, B. V. c. ix^ Reed,
Shakfpeare feema rather to have derived bis knbwledge of ihii
f^B. from 1^0 *s HiJlQty &f J/rk/r^ iranflated by John Pory, folio»
1 60a: " Upon another fide of theifland ftandcth an houfe alone
by itfelfe, in the midlt whereof there is a foure-fquare cefteme or
cbaLiiJiel of eighteen cubits deep, whcreinto the water of Nilus is
conveyed by a certaine Ouice under groun^L And in the midfV of
the cefteme there is erefted a certain e //i/^r, which is marled uni
drvidfd ism /a matiy cuhtU m the ciftetwe c&nmiffeth in depth* And
upon the fcventcenth of June, when Niltis beginning to overflow,
the water thereof conveied by the faid iluoc into the channel, in-
creafeth daily. If the water reichcth only to the fifteenth c«bit
of the faid piiler^ they hope for a fruitful ycert; tbliowing; but if
ilayeth between the twclhh cubit and the fifteenth, then the in-
cr^e of the yecre will prove but mea^i if it retteih between the
tenth and twelfth en bit?, then it is a Tign that corne will be foUt
_ ten dncates the buOiel/* Maloui,
I Vol. xii. L 1
V
LNTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
By the height^ the lowncfs, or the mean,* if dearth^
Or foizon, follow : ^ The higher Nilus fwclls.
The more it promifes : as it ebbs^ the fccdfman
Upon the flime and ooze fcatters his grain.
And fliortly comes to harvcft.
Lmp> You have ft range ferpents there.
Jnt. Ay, Lepidus.
Lep~ Your ferpent of Egypt is bred now of your
mud by the operation of your fun : fo is your cro-
codile.
jInt* They arc fo.
Pom. Sit, — and fome wine. — A health to Lepi-
dus.
Lb p. I am not fo well as I fliould be, but I*U
ncVr our,
£iVo. Not till you have flcpt ; I fear mc, you'll
be in, till then.
Lep. Nay, certainly, I have heard, the Ptolemies'
pyramifes are very goodly things;* ulthout con-
triwlirtion, I have heard that*
* //jf mt^f/l h ff- the midJIe, StitviNi,
9 Ot foiw3n,/£^/iW" ;J feixsM Ua Frifn^li word fij^nifying picittj,
abundance* I am told ihai it h ftiil in comraan utc in tl^ North.
. Sec Vol, UK p,63» n. 7* Steeve^^s*
* — */ hi7v^ hffird tht Fidimkt' pyramifes dfr ^arry^mdlj iiturji ;]
Fyramli for pjramid WHS In comttiD^ ufc in our lutbor's time. So»
in Bifhop Corbet*s P&fmrr 1 6^7 ;
•* Nor jircd t!ie chancelbr botill* whx^^j^jmmit
** Above the hoft and alur reared iv,"
From dib word Siiakfpeare formed the En-liQi plaiaJ^ fyram^^
to mark the indiflittd proBuncbtion of 11 man ncMly intimcatad,.
whofe tongue b now beginnuig to '* fplir what it fpeaks*'* Iti
other places lie b^^ imrixiuced lire Latin plural pjramides, whick
was conJbutly tifcd by our aocient wriicfi. So, in this play :
" My country's high p^r^mider — ."
Agdo, in Sir Afton Cockain's Pot mi ^ i6|3 :
" Neither advifc I ihce to paf* ibc feas,
^' To take a vicvv^ of the fyramideu**
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 515
Men* Pompey, a word, ]^4M^*
Pom. Say in mine ear: What is*t ?
' Mbn. Forfake thy feat^ I do befcech thee^ captain^
And hear me fpeak a word**
Pom, Forbear me till anon.—
This wine for Lcpidus.
Lep. What manner o* thing is your crocodile?
jiNT. It is fhaped, fir, like it felf 5 and it is as
broad as it hath breadth : it is ju ft fo high as it is,
and moves with it& own organs : it lives by that
which nourifheth it; and the elements once out of
it, it tranfmigratesl
x^EP* What colour is it of?
Ant* Of its own colour too.
Lbf. 'Tis a ftrange ferpent.-^
Ant* *Tis fo. And the tears of it are wet.*
Cms. Will this defcription fatiafy him ?
Ant, With the health that Pompey gives him,
clfe he is a very epicure*
Pom, £/«) Men as afiie,'] Go, hang, fir hang!
Tell me of that? away !
Do as 1 bid you. — Where's this cup I cali'd for?
Men. If for the fake of merit thou wilt hear me.
Rife from thy ftooK [Ajrde.
Again, in BrajthwaiteV Surrey (fHiprks^ 1614: " Thoti art
now for building % fecund fymmidet In the ain" ^/^ALONE.
♦ Andhmrmefpmk a word-] The two laft fyllabfes of this hcmi-
ftick, arc, I believe ^ an interpobdon* They add not to the faifc,
bi« difturb the mcafure, Stbe v ens.
# thtuats ofk art meL] " Be yt^xif teats wctf" fayf Lear
loCdrdeHa, AaiV. fc.TlL Malone,
LI a
5i6 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Po.\f. I think, thou'rt mad. The matter?
[rt/es^ andualks afidtm
Men. I have ever held my cap off to thy fortunes^
Pom, Thou haft ferv'd me with much faith :|
What*s elfe to fay?
Be jolly, lords,
AsT. Thefe quick-fands, Lepidus,
Keep off them, for you fink.
MEh\ Wilt thou be lord of all the world ?
Pom. What fay 'ft ihoui
Men. Wilt thou be lord of the whole world ?^
That's twice.
Pom. How fhould that be?
Mfn* But entertain it^ and, j
Although thou think me poor, I am the man
Will give thee all the world.
Pom* Haft thou drunk well ?
Mbs\ No, Pompey, I have kept me from the]
cup.
Thou art, if thou dar'ft be, the earthly Jove:
Whacc'cr the ocean pales^ or iky inclips,*
Is thinep if thou wilt have *u
^J^OM* Show me which wa)
Men* Thefe three world -fliarers, thefe compe*J
titers,*
Are in thy veflel : Let me cut the cable ; *
* »^ — er^jf inclips,] i.e. embracer. St k evens,
,:^ — — £^mp€tit&rst'\ i. e. coiifcdcratci^ pirtiicrs, Sec VoL II
p. 22it n. 5, SxetVEKf.
^ ^" - Lei mt iMt the fij^/r;] So, in the old tranflation of Pli
carch : ** Now in the middefl of the feaft, when they fell to be
merle with Antoniut louc Vftto Clc€}patra, Mcnas ihc pimtc came
to Pompey, and ivhifpenng in hii care, fa id tinto him : fball I cut
the gables* of the aokcn, aiid make thee I^rJ not only of Sicile
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 51^
And^ when we are put off, fall to their throats i
AM there is thine.*
Pom. Ah, this thou ftiould'ft have done^
And not have fpoke on't ! In me, 'tis villainy;
In thee, it had been good fervice. Thou muft know,
•Tis not my profit that does lead mine honour;
Mine honour, it. Repent, that e'er thy tongue
Hath fo betray'd thine afl: : Being done unknown,
I fhould have found it afterwards well done;
But mufl: condemn it now. Defift, and drink.
Men. For this, [A^de.
I*II never follow thy palFd fortunes* more.—
Who feeks,and will not take, when once 'tis offer'd^
Shall never find it morc<^
Pom. This health to Lepidus,
and Sardinia, but of the whole empire of Romebcfidcs? Pompe^
Eautng paw fed a tvhile vpon itj at length aunfwcrcd him : ilion
fbouldeft hauc done it, and neuer have told it me, but now we
muft content vs with rhat we hauc. As for my felfe, I was neuer
taught to brcake my iaith, nor to be counted a traitor/'
SxElViKS,
^ jfii there it thhte^] Thus the old copy.
Ml then /i tli/tf.
Modern editori resid i
If alteration be nccclTaryf we might as well give : Ail theirs «
jpf ,. All f^ere, however, may mean^ all m ihe 'vrJhL STiEVESa,
• ihj paird fsriuHfs — ] Palkd^ is impid^ paft its time of
rxcellcnce ; palled wine, is wine that has loft its anginal fprightli-
fiefs, Johnson.
■ Ptdhd h, a word of which the etymology is unknomi. Perhaps,
■ fay* Hr. Johnfon, in hii Diaionarj^, it is only a corruption of
pahd^ and was originally applied to colours. Thus, in Chaucer'*
t Manciple's Pt^kgtte^ v» i 7004 :
* * So uuweldy was th is fcly palM gho ft/* S r 1 1 v e » 1 ^
1 Who/feh^ and iviH mf tskit 'when 9tt€t 'tit effer*^^
Shall rtrver find it mart^^ This is from the ancient proverbial
*' He who will not, when he may,
•* When he wiU, he Hull Iiave nay/* STiivs^ia
^ig ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
ANf* Bear him afliore*— I'll pledge it for him^
Pompey.
£jvo. Here's to thee, Menas.
Men* Enobarbua, welcome*
Pom. Fill, till the cup be hid.
End* There *s a ftrong fellow, Menas.
[Pointing to the attendani who carries offht.piuv%.
Men. Why?
£no- He bears
The third part of the world, mani Sce'ft not?
Mbu. The third part then is drunk ; 'Would it
were all,'
That it might go on wheels I "
£jvo- Drink thou ; increafe the reels**
Men* Come*
Pom, This is not yet an Alexandrian feaft.
Ant. It ripens towards it. — Strike the veffels/ ho !
■ Th€ ihird ^ari then i% dntak .* 'Wnftiiit mere sU^ Wf,] The
oKl copy reads — Tlie third part then he is drunk, &c. The comcKt
ilcariy iliows that the tranfcriber*s ear deceived hioa, and ihat we
Jhoidd read as I have printed it,^Tiic third pitl thex is drtmk.
• TjSw/ ii mi^hi gG 9w ^hrtii /] " The World goes upon whedt^
u liic title of a pmplilct written by Taylor the Water-poet*
* increafe the reels*] Ai the word — reel^ was not, in ouf
author's time, cmpioyed to iignify a dance or re*uil^ and u ufcd m
no other pan of hit works 33 a fubftantivc, it ii not impoflibic that
the paiHige before us, which fcems defiened as a continuation of the
imagery fuggeded by Menas, original^ (lood thus :
*' Drink thouj and ^reafi tht ivhet/u*
A phrafc fomewhat iimilar, occurs in Timut (if Alhem^
*' —With iiimnjh iraughii &c.
" g^^fi^ his pure mind,
" That from it all confideration flips/' Steevems,
» «»^- EtTih thi vffeii,] Try ivhether the cafks found as cmpty^
JOHKIOK*
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 519
Here is to Ccfar.
C^. I could well forbear it.
It's monllrous labour^ when I wafli my braiit^
And it grows fouler.
Jiirr. Be a child o* the time.
CjES. Poffefs it, rU make anfwer : ' but I had ra-
ther fail
From all, four days, than drink fo much in one.
JEi^o. Ha, my brave emperor ! [to Antony.
Shall we dance now the Egyptian Bacchanals,
And celebrate our drink ?
Pom. Let's ha't, good fbldier.
jfNr. Come, let us all take hands ; *
Till that the conquering wine hath ftecp'd our fcnfc
In foft and delicate Lethe.
Eno. All take hands. —
I believe, Jfrike the nteffeh means no more than chmk the vejeis
Mr mgmitifi tke other ^ as a mark of our unanimitj in drinking^ as we
HOW iay, think glaffes. Stbbvens.
Mr. Steevens is furely right. So, in one of lago's fongs :
«« PixAXtt vat Vtit cannikin clink'* RlTSON*
Vtffih probably mean kettle-irumt^ which were beaten when the
be^lh of a jperfon of eminence, was drank ; immediately after we
have, ** make batterv to oar ears with the loud mafic." They are
odkd luktlit in HamUt :
" Give me the cups ;
** And Jet the kettie to the tmmpet fpeak.*'
Dr. JohnfoB'i explanation degrades thk fbaft ef the Iwds of the
^"*^? ^uforU into nillick reveL Holt Wh i t b.
^ ni make an/noer ;] The word— «9Mif^» only ferres to clog
dnenetie. Steevens.
4 Come, Ut us all take hands ;] As half a tine in this place may
btve been omitted, the deficiency might be fupplied with words rc-
fembling thofe in Milton's Comas :
" Come let us all take hands, and heat the ground,
" Ti\V*8cc. Steevews.
L 1 4
510 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Make battery to our ears^ with the loud mufick :—
The while, X'll place you-: -Then the boyihall fing;
The holding every man (hall- bear,* as -lodd
As his ftrong fides can volley.
[Mufick plays. Enobarbus places ibem band in band.
SONG. .
Came^ tbou monarcb of the vine^
P lumpy Baccbus, witb pink eyne : *
'(
♦ Maie battery to our cars ] So, in Kin^ Jahn :
«« Our fan ate cnigeVd** St b e v e ns.
*• Hsi holding rvery man JBall bear,] In old editions :
The holding every man Jhall beat,
The company were to joi^ in the boodcn, which the pbet ftilcs^
the holding. But how were they to heat this with their fides f I
am pcrfuadcd, the poet wrote :
^he holding every man Jhall htax^ as loud
As bis ftrong Jtdes can *volley.
The breaft and 7?y« are immediately concerned in ftraining to
fing as loud and forcibly as a nun can, Thbo^^ip.
Mr. Theobald's emendation is very plaufible; and yet hemi
might have been the poet's word^ however harfli it may appear
at prefent. In Henry VJIL we find a finiilar expreffion :
*« —let the mufic knock it." Stbevens.
The holding every man /ball beat,] Every man (hall accompany
the chorus bv drumming on his fides, in token of concurrence and
applanfe. Johnson,'
I have no doubt but bear is the right reading. To bear th^
burden, or, as it is here called, the holding <» a fong, is the
phrafe at this day. The paflage quoted by Mr. Steevens from
Henry VIII. relates to inftrumc^tal mufick, not to vocal. L&md
as his fides can volley, means, vjith the utmoft exfrtiam of bis *uaUem
So we fay, he laughed till he fplit his fides. M. Mason.
Theobald's emendation appears to me fi) plaufible* and the chann
is fo finaU, that I have given it a place m the text, as did Mr.
Steevens in his edition.
The meaning oithe holding is afi^ained by a paflage in an oh}
pamphlet called The Serving-masts Comfort, 4to. 2508 : ** « — where
a fong is' to be fung the under-finr or holding wnereof is« It is
merrie in haul where beards wag^" Ma.lonb.
} ^^..^fwitb pink eyne:'} Dr. Jdrnton^ in his Di^onar^t fays a
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 521 .
In thy vats our cares be drown* di
IVitb thy grapes our bairs be crown* di
Cup us till the world go round i
\ Cup us, till the world go rourid!
Cjes. What would you more? — Pompey, good
night. Good brother,
^jet me requeft you off: our graver bufinefs
Frowns at this levity. — Gentle lords, let's part ;
You fee, we have burnt our cheeks : ftrong Eno-
barbe
Is weaker than the wine ; and mine own tongue
Splits what it fpeaks : the wild difguife hath aU
moft
Antick'd us all. What needs more words ? Good
night. —
Good Antony, your hand.
Pom. lil try you o' the (hore.
Ant. And fliall, fir : give's your hand/
Pom. O, Antony,
You have my father's houfe,^ — ^But what ? we arc
friends :
^tmt eje is a fmall eye, and quotes this paflage for his abthority.
Fimi ejfie, however, may be redeyes: cyt$ inflamed with drinking,
are very well appropriated to Bacchus. So, in Juliiu Cafar:
** — fuch /irrr/ and fuch fiery eyes."
So, Greene, in his Defence of Coney-Cauhing^ i C92 : ** — like
a /nri-^V ferret." Again, in a ibng fung by a drunken Clown
in Marius and Sylla, 1 C94 : ' -
•« Thou makeft fotne to ftomble, and many mo to fumble,
«' And me have phtky ejne, moft brave a^d jolly wine !"
StEEVENS,
^ O, Antony f
You have my father's hou/e,] The hiftorian Paterculus fays ;
•* > cum Pompeio quoque circa Mifenum pax inita : ^ui
baud abfurdi, cum in navi Cafaremque et Antonium ccena excipereip
dixit : In carinis fuis fe ccenam dare ; referens hoc diSum ad loci
noflien^ in quo fatema damns ah Antonio poffidebatur.* Our author.
5« ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Come, down into the boat,
Eko. Take heed you &I1 not. —
\ Exeunt Pom. Cjks. Ant. and Attendants.
Menas, Til not on fliorc.
Mbu. No, to my cabin. —
Thcfe drums ! — ^thefc trumpets, flutes ! what f—
Let Neptune hear we bid a loud farewell
To thefe great fellows: Sound, and be hang*d^
found out.
[yf fiourijb of trumpets^ with drums.
Eko. Ho, fays 'a ! — There's my cap.
Mbn* Ho !-~noble captain !
Come. [Exeunt.
ACT in. SCENE I.
j1 Plain in Syria.
Eitter Ventidius, as after conqueft^ with Silius and
4tber Romans, officers, and/oldJers; the dead b^dy
af Pkcorus borne before bim.
Fen. Now, darting Parthia, art thou ftnick ; '
and now
Pleas'd fortune does of Marcus CrafTus' death
though he loft the joke, yet feems willing to commemorate the
ftory, Wa&burton.
The joke of which the learoed editor feems to lament the lofs,
could not be found in the old tranilation of Plutarch, and Shakf^are
looked no fiirthtr« Seep.505, n«4« Stebvbns.
* — /wr^ ;] Alludes to darting^ Thou whofe darts have fo
dftcQ ftrack others, art ftruck now thyfclf. Johkson.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 523
Make me revenger* — Bear the king's fon's body
Before our army ; — ^Tlw Pacorus, Orodes,^
Plays this for Marcus Craffus, ^
SiL. Noble Ventidius^
Whilft yet with Parthian blood thy fword k warm.
The fugitive Parthians follow ; fpur through Me-
dia^
Mefopotamia, and the flieltcr^ whither
The routed fly : fo thy grand captain Antony
Shall ftt thee on triumphant chariots, and
Put garlands on thy head.
Fen. O Slims ^ Silius^
I have done enough ; A lower place, note well.
May make too great an a<5t : For learn this, Silius;
Better leave undone/ than by our deed acquire
Too high a fame^ when him we ferve's away/
Ciefar, and Antony, have ever won
More in their officer, than perfon : Soflius,
One of my place in Syria, his lieutenant.
For quick accumulation of renown.
Which he achieved by the minute, loft his favour.
Who does i' the wars more than his captain can, '
Becomes his captain*s captain : and ambition.
The foldier's virtue, rather makes choice of lofs.
Than gain, which darkens him.
« ^ ^fy Pacarttr, Or9d^i^} Pacerm wiS ihc fon of Oroda^
king of Farthia. Steeven*.
" Btittr kttL€ ttndmt^ &c,] Otd copies, onnictfically (becaufe
the pJiyers were un.icquisinted wiih the inoii commoQ eJlipfis) :
BciifriO ittJ'Vf Hndsfif »&c< Stuveks*
• njuhtH him m3e fir^e's a^ay^l Thus the otd copy, and
fych certainly was our autbor'a phrafeoiogy. Sog in Tht IViftieri
Tak:
** I am appointed him to murdef yoo." •
Sec alfo Cir/oAiww/, Vol. XIL p* 128, n^6-
The modern editors, however* atl read, more gramroaticaJJy,
when jfr^ we fcrve, iJfec* MaloW£.
7
5^4 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.'
I could do more to do Antonius good.
But 'twould offend him i and in his offence
Should my performance perifti.
SiL. Thou haft, Ventidius^
That without which ^ a foldier, and his fword.
Grants fcarce diftindtion.* Thou wilt write to An-
tony ?
Fen. ril humbly fignify what in hi$ name^ .
That magical word of war, we have cffe<fted ;
How, with his banners, and his well-paid ranks^
The ne'er-yet-beaten horfe of Parthia
We tuve jaded out o* the field. .
SijlI Where is he now ?
Fmn. He purpofeth to Athens: whither with
what hafte
The weight we muft convey with us wili permit^
We fhall appear before him^ — On, there ;pafs along.
[ExeunK
f That iviiboni nvbkh'''^] Here agaio, fegtrdlcft of metre,
the old copie9 read :
Ttat njciibout iht 'vaikb "^^ Stbxvbns.
• Tbat 'Without nvblch a foUier, and his fword.
Grants fcarce difiinSion.] Grant, for afford. It is badly s^
obfcurely exprefTed : but the (enfe is this. Thou haft that, Ventidms,
mthich if thou didft nvant, there ivou/d he no diftin&ion bet<ween thee
and thjf /word. You njoould be both equally cutting and fenfeUfs. This
was wi^om or knowledge of the world. Ventidius had told him
th^ reafons why he did not purfue his advantages : and his friend^
hy this compliment, acknowledges them to be of weight.
Warburton^
We have fomewhat of the fame idea in Coriolanus :
'* fFhc,/enft6le, ou^daKS his /rn/ele/s /word.** Steevens.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA- 525
'I
SCENE 11.
Rome. An Anif-cbamber in Caeftr's Houfe.
Enter AoKifPA, aW Ekobarbus, meeting.
\ Eho^ They have defpatch'd with Pompey, he is
gone;
I The other three are fealing, Oftavia weeps
I To part from Rome; Carlar is fad; and Lepidus,
\ Since Pompey*s feaft, as Menas fays, is troubled
^ With the green Ikknefs* t:
Agr. *Tis a noble Lepidus.
Enq. a very fine one : O, how he loves Caefar !
jfGR. Nay^ but how dearly he adores Mark An^
^ony ! ^
Eno. Casfar? Why, he*s the Jupiter ©f men.
Jgr. What's Antony ? The god of Jupiter,
Eno. Spake you of Caefar ? How?^ the nonpa-
reil I
jtcR. O Antony ! O thou Arabian bird ! *
Eno. Would you praife Cxfar, fay, — Csiefar ;^—
go no further.*
9 .__//6>iy/*] I believe, was hetc, as in another place m tfiii
plaf, printed by milbke, for jfeo. Sec aifo Vol. V. p. jji, n* j*
Mai
A La ME.
I perceive Ho need df alteration. St sevens.
* Arukisfi &ird/] The phoenix. Johnson.
So agajtl, Xn Cymheiint :
** She is alone the Ata^tsn kird, and I
*' Have lod my wager." Stbevens.
J -^— Ci^rs— go ffo/MFfhin] I fufp^ Uat thk line wai dc*
526 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA -
Agr, Indeed, he ply'd them both with excellent
praifes.
End. But he loves Casfar beft; — Yet he loves
Antony:
Ho! hearts^ tongues, figures, fcribcs, bards, poets/
cannot
Think| fpeak, cafl:, write, ling, number, ho, his love
fgned to be mctrkfll^ and tl^at (omHtlog the inipcitinenl ^] wc
STMtvnmsm
3 ^^-^htsrdif /^ofSSf] Not QnHy ihf tauialogy ciM&fdj f^iid^&efrJ
Hilt the tvant of a corfefpondenc aflion for the /^/, wkofc bufincfi
in tht next Hne is only to namhet, niak«^ me fufficfV foroc fjpir ifl
dufl pafTage, which J know not how to ttidiidt JoHJi^^sr,
I fufpetl nd fault* The aii^tctH Bur/i fung hts compofitioile m
the harp i the pari only commm them to paper.. Verfcs arc often
caA^ nmrnhiri^ and to mmhtrt a verb (in mi^ feufr) of Siiakfpettc's
This puerile arrangement of wo Ms was irnich ftudled iu the age
of Shakfpears?, even by the fiift writers.
So* in Afi vfctlhnf S^nmi ^fa Nmpb^ fy Sit P. Sidney; printed
in Emg!ani*t Heimn^ 1 600 :
" Vcriiie^ beauty, and fpeach, did ftrike, wound^ charme,
*' My hart, eves, caret, whf^ if rmdef, tonoe, delight :
" Firft, fccond, fall, did blnde, enforce, and tinte,
" His works, Hiowest fuees^ with wit, grace^ and vcmes-niight t ^
" Thus iKnioufs likin|[^ truJl, much* farre, and dccpc,
*^ Held, pearftj pofiTeC tny judgem^it, fence, and wV!^%
** Till wrongs, contempt^ deceitc, did grow, fteale, erccpe,
" Bands, fauour, faith, to breake, defile, and kilU
*' Dooth him, his face, \m words, leaue, Ihunne^ refraine«
*» For nothing, time, nor pbcc, can loofe, ^iic^h, cafe,
■* Mine ownc, embraced, fought* knot, lire* difeafc/'
Sxfirviifi.
Again, in Danid's nth Sonnet, 1194:
'* Yet I will weep, vow> pray to crucU Ihee;
** Flint, froft, difdaifie, wcaresj mcltSj ind yield?, wcfee."*
MAt-OItE*
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 527
To Antony. But as for C«far,
Kneel down^ kneel down, and wonder.
Agr. Both he loves,
Eno. They are his (hards, and he their beetle*
So, — [Trumpeis.
This is to hprfe. — Adieu, noble Agrippa.
-/fan. Good fortune, worthy foldierj and farewells
Enter Cjbsar, Antony, Lepidus, and Octavia^
Ant. No further, fir.
Cms. You take from me a great part of myfelf ; *
Ufc me well in it.— Sifter, prove fuch a wife
As my thoughts make thee, and as my fiirtheft band *
Shall pafs on thy approof. — M oft noble Antony,
Let not the piece of virtue,^ which is fet
Betwixt us, as the cement of our love.
To keep it builded," be the ram, to batter
4 They an his (hards, aud he their ieetle.] h e. Thc7 aic the
tffiimgs diat xaife this heany lumfifi infeB from the ground. So, ia
Macheih:
" the Jhard-horne bcetk."
Sec Vol. VII. p. 466, n.9. Stebvens.
5 Ym take from me a great part of myfelf \\ So, in The Tempeft :
** I have given you heit a third of my own life." Stsevim s.
Again, in TroUm and Creffida :
" I have a kind of felf reAdes in you." Malovb.
* as mjf furthe/fh^nd-^] At I will venture the greateft
pledge of fecurity, on the trial of thy eondad. Joh it so k.
Band and tond in our author's time were fynonymous.
See Vol. VII. p. 278, n. 4. Malonb.
f ——/i&^ piece of virtue,] So, in The Tem/efi:
*• Thy mother was a piece of 'virtue'*
Again, in Pericles :
" Thou art a piece of 'virtue'* &c. Ste E v e xs.
• ■ the cement of our love,
Tvkeep it builded,] So, in our author's 1 19th Sonnet :
'* And ruin'd love, when it is built anew,
•* Grows fairer than at firft." Maloxe.
530 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA,
Eno, He were the worfe for that, were tie »,
horfe ; *
[So is he, being a man.
Acn. Wliy, Enobarbus ?
/hen Antony found Julius C^^far dead,
[He cried almoft to roaring: and he wept,
LWhcn at Philippi he found Brutus flain,
Eno* That year, indeed, he was troubled with a^
rheum I
What willingly he did confound, he wail'd ; ^
J Believe it^ till I weep too.*
C£5. No, fweet Odavia,
[You Ihall hear from me llill ; the time fliall not
|Put-go my thinking on you-
Ant* Come, fir, come ;
'ril wrcftic with you in my ftrength of love:
Look, here I have you ; thus I let you go,
And give you to the gods.
* .^^fwere ke a horfi ;] A horfe ii faid to have e dmd im hB \
facf, when he has a black or dark -coloured fpot in hit forebead
between His eyes. This gives him a four look» and being foppored
to indicate aa ilJ-tcmpcr, is of courfc regarded jis a great bleimffi,
4 Whsf wllmgfyjf^ did confound^ kftiwTd:} So* in Mmtkeih:'
'* waii his faU
•* Whom I myfclf ftruck down." Steivins.
To €mtfmndh to dcftroy* Stt Vol. IX* p* J51. n. S,
Maloitw*
» Bfiiive ii, till / weep t^o^l I have ventured to alter the tenfe
of the verb here, againft the autliority of all the copies, Tbcce wis
no fcnfc in it, I think, as it Itood before- Theobald,
I am afraid there was better fenfe in this parage as it origiti^Q^
flood J than Mr* Theobald's aiterarion will afford us. Beii^vf it^ (fa>'S
EnobarbtiSj) that Animj didfo, u e^ thai h^ m>fpt mjir fitch an €*v^mi^
tiii you fft mt t^trping tn the fame 0C£iifioft, ti^hat I JkaU hf Migtd im
ifpu fit- putting Juih a cmfim^kn tm mj t^^rf^ *whi^h^ i^t re^htj^ {iik^
hi$) 'wiii he irsti nf Joy* I have replaced the old reading, Mr*
Theobald reads — ti/i /wept m* S t e e v t k ^.
AVttCfHY AND CLEOPATRA. $31
Cms. Adieu ; be happy !
Lbp. Let all the number of the flars give light
To thy fair way !
• Cjes. Farewell, farewell ! [kifes Octavia.
jfirr. Farewell !
[TrumpeU found. Exeunt.
SCENE rn.
Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.
EMter Cleopatka, Charmiak, Iras, and Alexas^
Cleo. Where is the fellow ?
' Alex. Half afeard to come.
Cleo. Go to, go to :-~Come hitherj fin
Enter a MejQTengen
Alex. Good majefty^
Herod of Jewry dare not Ir.-^!* upon you.
But when you are well pleas'd.
Cleo. ' That Herod's hca4
141 have: But how ? when Antony is gone
Through whom I might command it. — Come thou
i . near.
' Mbs. Moft gracious majefty,—
. Cleo. Didft thou behold
Qftaivia?
. Mes. Ay^ dread queen.
Cleo. Where?
'; Mes. Madam> in Rome
M m 2
532 ANTONY AND CIEOPATRA^
I Iook*d her in the face ; and faw her led
Between her brother and Mark Antony.
CiEO. Is fheas tall as mc?*
Mes. She is not, madatti*
ClEO. Didft hear her fpcak ? U Ihc fhrill-tongu'd/
or low ?
Me . Niadam, I heard her fpeak i flie is low-,
voic d,
CiBO. That's not fogood; — he cannot like her
long.'
^ Is^f 3s taiim me? &c* d'c. &c.] This fcene (fayjs Dr^GrcjJ
is 1 rnamftd aUufion to the qutftiom pal by qtjecn Eltiabcth to Sir
James Mdvil, ccrncemmg his miftrcis the queen of Scots< Who-
ever will gwz hirafclf the trouble to confuU his Meinoirsg may pro-
bably fuppofc the refcmblajict to be more than accidental
1 fee no probability that Shakfpearc fhould here allude to z con-
v'ei-fation chat p^aiTed between Queen Elizabeth and a ScottiCh im-
baifador tn 1 5 64* the very year m which he was born, and doc* hoc
appear to have been made publkk for above thrcefcorcye^rs after
his death ; Melvil's Mfmairt not being printed till 1 68^, Such en-
quiries, no doubt, arc perfcdly natural to rival females, whether
queens or cinder- wenches , R i t s o jv ,
7 n^t's not fi good: — he CJrtfft&f lik^ htr ^*f^*] CSeopatra perhaps
doet not mean — ** That is not fo good a piece of inteUigcnce at
your Uft i'' butt '' Th&t^ 1. e. a low volce^ is not fo good as a fhrill
tongue."
That a low voice (oa which our author never omits to introduce
an etogium when he has an opportunity J was not eftccmed by Clco-'
patra as a ment in a lady, appears from what ihe adiii afterwards^^
'' Dutit^Hffgut^ and dwarfilhl" — If the words be underftood in
the fcofe firft mentioned, the latter part of lh€ line will be fonod
inconiiflcnt with the foregoing.
Perhaps, however, the author intended no connexion between
the two members of this Hne ; and that Cleopatra, after a pau{e»
ihould exclaim«-He cannot like her, whatever her merits be» for
any length of ticae« My firft interpretation I believe to be the rrue
one,
It has been Juftly obfervcd that the poet had probably Queen
EHzabeth here m hit tbouehts* The defcription given of her by
a contemporary about twelve yean after her death, ihongly con.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 533
'CfiJR. Like her? Olfis! 'tis impofTible. |
CiEO, I think fo, Charmian; Dull of tongue^
and dwarfilh ! — >* , J|
What majcfty is in her gait? Rennember^
If e*er thou look'dft on majefty,
I Mes. ' " *' She creeps i ^ '
Her motion and her flat ion * are as one : '
She {hows a body rather than a life;
A ftatue^ than a breather.
^ ^^LEO, Is this certain?
w Mes. Or I have no obfervance.
W Char, Three in Egypt
Cannot make better note.
* Cleo, He's very knowing, ;
I 'do perceive' t :— There's nothing in her yet ; — ^
Tfae fellow has good judgement.
CuAR* Excellent,
€luo. Guefs at her years, I pr'ythe^.
MuB^ - Madam^
She was a widow.
CiEo. Widow ? — Charmian, hark.*
Mas. And I do thinks Ihe's thirty.
firms this fuppofition, " She wa* ((ays the Continaaror of 5Jtowc*<
llh^mdf^} tmUaff^tHft^ ftrong in every limb and joynr, her fingtfl
ijnaU and long, her i^e^ ct imd andJ&niL* * M a l o » e ,
It may be remarked, however, that when Cleopaira applies ihc
epithet '* flinll-tongued" to Fulvia^ (fee p, 410-) U is not iatro*
duccd by way of complimcnuo the wife of Antony- SteVvei*!,
The quality of the VQk^ u referred to^ as a criterion fi milar to
that, already noticed, of the hair^ Sec p. 50 j, n* 7, Hen Lit,
• htr ftation ] Station t, va this inftaiijce, means the sd
jof^aMdhg. So, in Hamiet :
** A/if/ieft like the hetald Mercury," SrEiviyi,
- * Widow f^ — ^barmmvi hark J] Cleopatra rejoices in this circum*
dance J as it fets Ottavia on a level witli hcrfelf, who was no virgio*
wbea ihc fcli to the lot of Anton)^ STetv£KS«
I
1
514 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
CiEO* Bear'ft thou her face in mind? is it long,
or round ?
Mes* Round even to faultinefs,
Clbo* For the moft part too.
They are foolifh that are fo/ — Her hair, u hat co-
lour ?
Mes. Brown, madam : And her forehead is as low '
As flie would with iu
Cleo. There is gold for theCp
Thou muft not take my former fharpnefs ill :— *
I will employ thee back again ; I find thee
Moft fit forbufincfs : Go, make thee ready i
Our letters are prepared. [Exii MefTengcr.
Chjr. a proper man*
CiEO. Indeed, he is fo; I repent me much.
That fo I harry 'd him.* Why, mcthinks, by him,
* Rouad &c«--^«
Tkeyart foolifti ihit are fc.} Tbis b from ilic old writen
on Fhyiiognomy. So, in HlU's FUafifrft Ht/hfj Sec. 1613. *• The
head ^erj tmnd^ to be for|etfui and fmlijbr Again, " the head
iamg to be prudent and wary/* — ^* a loFm firehati^ to be fad*'" &c.
J ^-^ is m knM hc,\ For the inrcrtion of--ij, to help tlic
metre, I am anfwcrablc. Ste evens*
A I i&w at Jhe ^wmid iv^ it*] I^ow foreheads were in Sliak*
fpcarc's age thought a blemilh* So, in Tht Ttmptft:
" — with forchcadi 'utilMimm /&w.** .
See alfo Vol. III. p. 274^ n. 6.
Teu and S!^e are not libcJy to have been confounded j ottier^i^
we might fuppofe that our author wrote —
As low mjm would wifh tt< Maloke«
The phrafc employed by the Meifenger, is ftill a cant one. I
once overheard a chambermaid fay of her rival, — •• that her legs
were as thick tfi J^ cmldmiip ihem**' St EEVtHS.
-* fo harrj"*d hm.] To Jbnrrjt^ Is t& tt/e rstt^hij* I meet
with the word in Th Rf^eHgtjf^t Trng^dy^ 1 607 :
'* He harrkd her, and midft a throng," *Stc,
' AgaLn* in 51fef Dmjt/nfail &/ Roi^ert Ear! q/ HutitmgdtMj 1 601 :
*• Will karrjf mc about Infiead of her/'
7
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 535
This creatur€*s no fuch thing.
Char* O, nothing/ madanip
Clho* The man hath fecn fome majefty^ and
ftiould know.
Char. Hath he feen majefty? His elfe defend.
And ferving you fo long !
Cleo. I have one thing more to a(k himyct,|
good Charmian: —
But *tis no matter; thou fhalt bring him to me
Where I will write : All may be well enough*
^ Char. I warrant you, madam, \^ExeHnim
w
P Ant*
»
SCENE IV.
Athens. A Room in Antony's Houfe.
Enter Antony aniOcTAViA,
\
Ant* Nay, nay, Odavia, not only that^ —
That were excufable, that, and thoufands more
Hotinfhed, p. 735, fpeakingof the body of Rlduid III, fayi,
it was ** harried on horfcback, dead/*
The fame cxpreffion had been ufed hy Harding in his_ 6hronkU*
Again, hy Nam in his LafUa Stuffs 1 59^, ** as if he were
irarryiFtg and chafing his enemies/' Steevens,
To harr^, is, literally, tu ktmt. HcnCC the wofd harrier.^
King Jama thrt:aiened the Puritans that " he would karrj theni
out of the land / ' H e n l e v,
Minfhcu, In his Dicx, 1617, explains the word thos: " To
turmoilcor vcxc/* Cole in his Euglifh Dict, 1676, imcrprcU
harifd ^y the word pulled ^ and in tnc fcnfe of pulled and iuggcd
about, 1 believe the word was ufed by Shakfpearc. See the mar-
ginal direftion in p, j^^%* In a kindred fcnfe it is ofed in the old
cranllation of Plutarch ; ** Pyrrhus feciog his people thus troubled^
and harried to and fro/' Bcq^
See alfo FJorio*s Italian Diftionary, 1 590 : " Tartaflare, To
fib-hafte, to bang, to tugge, irj h:ilCj iq harne*^* Miloni.
s O, mthing^l The exclamation — O, was, for the fake of mca*
Cure, fupplicd by Sir Thomai Hanmer, STjiVBBa»
M m 4
1
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRAA
Of femblabk import^ — but he hath uag'd . f
New wars *gainft Pompey ; made hia wiU, and read it
To publick car :
Spoke fcantly of me : when perforce he could not
But pay me terms of honour, cold and fickly .
He vented them ; mofl: narrow meafurc lent inq?^
When the bcft hint was given him, he not took*t^*
Or did it from his teeth.*
OgrA* O my good lord^ ,^
Believe not all ; or, if you mufl believe,. 4
Stomach not alL A more unhappy lady^
If this divifion chance^ ne'er ftood between^
Praying for both parts :
And ^ the good gods will mock mc prcfently^.
When I Ihall pray/ O, ii^fs my hrd and bujimnd!
Undo that prayer, by crying out as loud,
O, Mefs my haiher I Hulband win, win brother*
Prays, and deftroys the prayer; no midway .i
'Twixt thefe extremes at alL '*
Ant. Gentle Odavia^
Let your bcft love draw to that point, which fteks
Bert to prefcrve it: If I lofe mine honour,
I lofe myfeif : better I were not yours.
Than yours fo branchlefs,^ But, as you rqqocfled.
^ When the hefi hint *ivjii gt^fn hm, /''• not topk'u] The fi rft
folio reads, a&t iosk'd* Dr* Ttilrtby a^lvis'd ihc emcrtdaTion which
I have infcncd in the text. Theobald
* Orjijit from his tecthi] Whether this moian as wc now
fay, m JpHe nf hit teerht or that he fpokc throogh his teeth, fp as
to be puqjofely indMinfl, 1 am unable to detennine; SrEEVENs*
5 JifJ ] X have fuppliod this conjunftion, for the fake of
mctrcp Steevens,
^ tVhen / pail pray ^ dc,] The fituatiofi and fentimeiils of Oc*
Uvia icfemble thofc of Lady Blanch in Kmg J^hu. isce Vol. VI 11,
|»* 94» Stesvlmi*
^ Than your» fa hrmuibU/i,^ Old Copy^^«Kr« C«iir«&d in
I
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA- 537
Yourfclf (hall go between us : The mean time^ lady,
1*11 raife the preparation of a war
Shall ftain your brother ; * Make yourfooneft haftc|
So your deiirea are yours*
. OcTA* * Thanks to my lord.
The Joirc of power make me mod weak, mofl: weak.
I
I
the fccond folio. This is ocie of the maiiy miftakes that have arifea
Ifoai the tranfcnber*s ear deceiving him^ jaur /a m4 jmrs fi^
bcmg fcarcely diftinguifhabk in pron unciaiion . M 4 Lo n i .
• . ^he mta^ time^ ^^4^*
rU raijt th€ prtpataiim of a lifsr
Shali ^njaur brother ;] Thus the printed copicSi. But, fufe,
Anton/, whofe bufincfs here is to mollify O^via, does it with a
very iU grace ; and 'tis a very otld way of fatisfying her, to tell
her the war, he raifes, fliall flaim^ i, c, caft an oditim upon her
brother I have no doubt, but we mujl read, with the additioa
only of a fmgk letter,
5^// lira in ye^r hroihtr ; ^
L c Hiall iay htm under conftrEinti ; fhall puc him lo fiich ihifft,
that be Ihall neither be able to make a progrcfs againfti or to pre-
judice me< PJutarch fayi, that Odavius, underftandine the fud-
dcn and wonderful preparations of Antony, was aftoniJn'd at it ;
for he himfcLf was in many wants, and thi people were forcly op-
preHed with grievoub exadions. Th eobald.
I do not fee but /fir/« may be allowed to reaain unaltestd,
rowing no more than ^amf or diJgrGct, Johnson,
So, in fome anonymous fbui^i among the poems of Surrey and
Wyatt :
** here at hand approacheth one
" Whofe face will Jinifi you all."
Again J in Shore' § Wife^ by Churchyard, \ 503 ;
" So Shore's wife's face made foulc Browneta blufti,
'* As pearle fiayf^s pitch j or gold furmounti a rufli.'*
Agajjii in Churchyard's C^«nV/>, ijgy;
*« Whofc bcautie/^iffr# the lairc Helen of Gieecc."
Stibvems.
I believe a line betwixt thefe two has been loft, the purport of
which probably was, nuUfi I am campeitd ift my o^wh dif^Mt^ I
*wiH d6 ffo a& that {hall ftain, &c.
After Antony has told O^via that fhe (hall be a mediatrix be-
tween him and his adverfary, it is furcly ft range to add that he
will do an ad that (hall di%racc her brother* Mai-one*
53S ANTOWY AND CLEOPATRA;
Your reconciler I • Wars ^twixt you turain would
be* '
As if Che world fliould cleave^ and that flain men
Should folder up the rift.
Ai^r. When it appears to you where this begins^
Turn your difpleafure that way ; for our faults
Can never be fo equals that your love
Can equally move with them. Provide your going;
Choofe your own company^ and command what
coft
Your heart has mind to. [Exeunt.
S C E N E V.
"The fame. Another Room in the fame.
Enter Enobarbus and Eros^ meeting.
Eno. How now, friend Eros ?
Eros. There's ftrange news come, fin
Eno. What, man ?
Eros. Caefar and Lepidus have made wars upon
Pompey,
Eno. This is old ; What is the fucccfs?
Eros. Caefar, having made ufe of him in the
' Twr reconciler!] The pld copy hsAyou. This manifeft error
of the prefs, which appears to have arifen from the fame caufe at
that noticed above, was corrcdled in the fecond folio. Malonb,
* Wars *t*wixi you invaiu wou/Jie &c.] The fenfe is, duit
war between Caefar and Antony would engage the world between
them, and that the flaughter would be great in fo extenfive a
commotion* Johnson*
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
539
I
I
I
I
WMS 'gainft Pompey^ prefently denied him rivaJi-
ty ; * would not lee him partake in the glory of the
ailion: and not refting here, accufes him of letters
he had formerly wrote to Pompey j upon his own
appeal/ feizes him: So the poor third is up, till
death enlarge his confine.
£nq. Then, world, thou haft a pair of chaps, no
more ,-
And throw between them all the food thou haft,
They'll grind the one the other. Where's Antony ? ^
1 rtva/ffj;] Equd rank, Johnson.
So, in Ham/eft Horatio and MarctUus arc ilyled by Bcmajdo
' * ihe rr^tf //' ' of his Wat eh ^ S t i e v e n s *
4 ^^ti^ft his invfi appeal,] To ^//tp/. in Shakfpcarc, is to aca^fi ;
Caefar feizcd Lepidus without any other proof than Cxfar's accu-
fatioiip JOHN£^0X.
5 Th^ttf world, &e>] Old copy — Then 'would titcu had^fi a fair
^ chapt^ no mQri \ a/td throrv between them ull tht faod thou haft^
thtyii grind ihe fithen fVhcr/s Anim^ f This is obfcurc* 1 read it
^him^ world, ihiu hsfi a fm/'r of chafs^ m mf^ni
Artd throne htt^vstn iitm tf// ihf fiod ihm h&fi^
ThejU grind tbt ortC ihc aihtf. ^Vhert^t dntrnj f
Cscfar and Antony will make war on each other, though they
have the world to prey upon between I hem, Johnson <
Though in general rcry relaxant to depart from the old copy, I
have not in the prefcnt inllancc any fcruplca on that head. The
paJTage, as it ft and s in the folio, i^ nonfenfe, there being nothing
to which thuH can be referred. World ^'SkA ijaoM were eafily con*
founded, and the omifljon in the laft line, which Br* Johnfon ha^
fupplicd, is one of thofe errors that happen in almoll every fheet
that pafTea through the prefi, when the f^me words are repeated
near to each other in the fame fentence. Thus, in a note on Timun
c/Aihmt [VoL XL p- ^39,] now before me, thcfe words ought
m have been printed: " Dn Farmer, however, fufpcdb a t|uibblc
between hcMour in its common acceptation and i:*omtir (i, e* the
lordfbip of a place] in its legal fenfe/'* But the words — *^ in iit
c&mm&n scc^ptatiQu and" were omitted in the prsof fhect by the com-
pofitor, by his eye (after he had compofcd the ilrft hn^r,) glanc-
ing on the la ft, by which the intermediate words wctt bft^ In
the parage before uj^ I have no doubt ihit the coinpoJitoi*^ eye in
5
540 ANTOUfY AND CLEOPATRA.^
Eros. He's walking in the garden— thus j and
fpurns
The rufh that lies before him ; cries, Fool^ Lepidus!
And threats the throat of that his officer.
That murder'd Pompey.
£a 0. Our great navy "srigg'd*
Ero. For Italy, and Caefan More, Domitiusi*
My lord defires you prefently : my news
I might have told hereafter ,
£no5. 'Twill be naught i,
But let it be, — Bring me to Antony. ' '
Eko$. Come^ £r,
like maimer glancing on the fccond th, after tlie liHl had been
compofed, the two words now lecovered were omitted. So, m
Tmim smd Cr^tda^ the two lines prinr*^ b Italkki, wane omuoed
m tlic foIiQ, from the fame caufe :
** The bearer knows non but commends fj/t^
** 7"tf Qlhtn* fya ; mr duih th< fje itfolf
" 'That moft purr J}irk pf/nfji, behold itfiif^
*• Not going from itfelf," 4fC- ' '
In the tirft folio edition of Hamht^ A^ 11. ii the following paf-
ikge : ** 1 will leave him, nnd fuidtnly tmtr^vi tht meam g/ mettiv^
ifi^ween him and my daughter.' ' But in the original quarto copy
the words in the Italick charai%r arc omitted* The priuttr 's cic^
after the words / ^wiii Ua^je him were compofed, gunced on Vhc
fecond him^ and thus all the intervening words were loft*
I have lately obfcrved that Sir Thomas Hanmer had made the
fame eiBendation. As, in a fuhfequent fcene, Sh;ikfpcare» with
allu£oii to the triumviri, calls the World thrfe^nmk*d^ fo he here
fuppofes it to have had tkTte ch^pu — Nq mere does not lignLiy nw
longer^ but has the fame meanings if Shakfpcajc had written —
and no more. Thou haft now a pair of chsips, and mlj a pair.
Malon£«
^ More, Domitlus{\ I hav^e fometliing ma^e ro rcU you,
which I might have told at firft, and delayed my rxwu Antony
fcquire* yoor prefcncc, Johnson,
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 541
Vm
SCENE Vl.
**^ Rortic. A Romn in Caefar's Haufe.
Enter C^sar, Agrippa, ^^tf Mec^nas,
Cms* Contemning Rome^ he has done all this:
And more; "*^
In Alexandria, — here's the manner of it, —
I' the naarkct-placc/ on a tribunal filver'd,
Cleopatra and himfelf in chairs of gold
Were publickly enthron'd : at the feet, fat
Csefarion, whom they call my father*s fon;
And all the unlawful iifuc, that their luft
Since then h^ch made between them. Unto her
He gave the 'ftablifhment of Egypt; made her
Of lower Syria, Cyprus, Lydia/
^ /' the mar]tii'piac^t'\ So, in the old traijflation of Plutarch*
•* For he aflTembled all the people in die fhow plpcc, where youQgc
men doe eKcrcife them felues, and there vpon a high t rib una 11
filucredj he fct two chayrcs of gold, the one for him felfe, and
the other for Cleoptra, and lowtr chaires for his children : then
he openly pubUQicd before the aflt:mbly, that firil of all he did
clbblilb Cleopatra qucenc of Egypt, of Cyprvs^ of Lydia, and of
ihc lower Syria, and at thiU time alfo, Ga^farion king of the fame
realmcs, "f his C^farion was fupjiofcd lo be iht fonnc of Jdlut
Csfar, who had left Cleopatra great with child. Secondly* Jic
called the fonnes he had by her, the kings of kings, and gnuc
Alexander for bis porfioa, ArmeniJr, Media , and Parthia, when
he had conquered the country : and vnto Ptolemy for \xh p07Uo|;i^
Phenicia, Syria, and Cilicia/' Steevens, ^
• For Ljdia^ Mr- Upton, from Plutarch, has reRored Ljkia^
|o ihe tran^atioQ from the French of Amyatj bjf Tho« North,
542 ANTONY AND CLEOPATR
Abfolute queen.
Mec. This in the publick eye?
Cms. V the common fhow-place» where chey cx-
ercife-
His fonshe there " proclaim'd^ The kings of kings :
Great Media^ Parthia, and Armenia,
He gave to Alexander ; to Ptolemy he aflign*d
Syria, Cilicia, and Phoenicia: She
In the habiliments ofthcgoddefs Ifis'
That d^y appeared j and oft before gave audience
As 'tis reported, fo-
Mec. Let Rome be thus
Informed.
Agr* WTio, queafy with his infolence
Already, will their good thoughts carll from him.
Cms, The people know it i and have now received
His accufations*
in folio, 1 597,* will be fern at once the ongin of ffits mt0;ikc.—
*' Firft of all he did cftftblifh Cleopatra queen of Egypt, of C)T>ras^
of £/^r<», and the lower Syria," Fars^ir.
The prefcnt reading is right ,-^f or in page 545, where C^ar
is recounting the fcvcral kings whom Antony had affemblcd, he
gives the kingdom of Ljhia to Bocchtis* M, Masok,
* iff thtrt ] The old copy has — htther. The correc-
tion was made bjr Mr . Stee v erts< M a l o ?? e *
^ ^^^thij[add€/t Ifit — ] So, in the old tranfladonofPInmrch ;
" Now for Cleopatra, fhe dtd not oncfy wcarc at that dmc (baf
at all other times els when fhc came abroad) the apparcll of the
foddefie Ids, and fo gaue audience vnto all her fiibjetbj aa a new
Ifis**' St £ IV ENS,
3
• I find xht charaiterof thU woi:!* pfctty early d«l4Reiteds
** 'T«^i5 ©reck ai firft, that Gwek wai Latin ifiaJc*
•* That Latin FrcAcKi eh«t French to Eogfrlh ftraid %
■* Thui *twit: one Plutaich thfre'i more «lifiefettce,
*« Thaji ? tk^ fanic EngHlbiiwui teciirn^d from FfiA^.**
FAtMiH.
I
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 543
Agr, Whom does he accufe?
Css. Csefar; and that, having in Sicily
Scxtus Pompeius fpoiPd> wc had not rated him
His part o' the iflc! then does he fay, he lent me
Some fhtpping unreftor'd : laftly, he frets.
That Lepidus of the triumvirate
Should be deposed; and^ being, that we detain
All his revenue.
Agr. Sir^ this fhould be anfwcr*d.
Cms, 'Tis done already, and the meffenger gone.
I have told him, Lepidus was grown too cruel ;
That he his high authority abus'd.
And did defervc his change ; for what I have con-
quered,
I grant him part; but then, in his Armenia,
And other of his conquer *d kingdoms, I
Demand the like.
Mec, Heil never yield to that.
Ces. Nor muft not then be yielded to in this.
OCTA^
Enter Octavja.
Hail, Caefar, and my lord! hail^ moft
dear Caefar !
I Cms. That ever I fliould call thee, caft^away !
m OcrA, You have not call'd me fo, nor have you
I caufe«
I Cms* Why have you ftol*n upon us thu9? You
' come not ^
Like CseHir's filler : The wife of Antony
Should have an army for an uflier, and
The neighs of horfe to tell of her approach,
Long ere fhe did appear; the trees by the M^ay,
Should have borne men ; and expectation fainted.
Longing for w hat it had not : nay, the duft
544-^ AMTONY .\ND CLEOPATRA
Should have afccndcd to the roof of heaven,
Rais'd by your populous troops : But you are come
A markcc-maid to Rome ; and have prevented
The ortent of our love,* which* left uniliown
Is often left unlov'd : we fhould have met you
By fea, and land ; fupp lying every ftagc
With an augmented greeting,
OcWA* Good my lord»
To come thus was I not conftrain^d, but did it
On my free-wilL My lord, Mark Antony^
Hearing that you prepared for war, acquainted
My grieved ear withal; whereon^ I begg'd
His pardon for return.
C^5. Which fbon he granted.
Being an obftrucl 'tween his luft and him.*
Oct J. Do not fay fa, my lord.
Cms. 1 have eyes txpon him,
9 The oftcnt 6/mri^*et] Old copy^o{lcntfl//««. But the mctr^,
and our authori repeated nfe of the former word tn Tli M^rci^jtr ef
Vifikt: " Such fair optttM of love/' fufirckntly authorise the
flight chani^e I have made. Qfttm occurs alfo in Ktug^ Henrj V :
" Giving full trophy, iignal, and ^/^//i — .'* SrEivixt.
* Which fmn he granrei»
Bf'mg &*$ obftrudt 'inmrft Itj hft &ml him^\ [Old copj^ — ^1-
flfaEf\ Antony very foon comply 'd to let O^via go at her rcqijdl,
hy^ Cxfar ; and why ? Becaufe (he wai an akfir&il between his io*
ordinate palllon and him ; this is abfurd. Wc mtift read :
Bdn^ nn obftrti^l ^t-mxtn hh iufl and him*
L e* his wife being an obftruflion, a bar to the profccuttoti of hit
wanton pleafurea with Cleopatra, Warburtos.
1 am by no means certarn that this change wai neccfliry, Mr.
Htnhy pronounces it to be *' ncedkfs antl that it ought to be re-
jeded* a5 perverting the fcnfe.*' One of the meanings of aMra/fed
ii — ftmraifd^ dhjmned\ and thetdbrc our poet, with hw ufual
licenie, rni^t have ufed it for *3 disjuutlivu I belkre there ia no
fuch fubftanuvc as QiffimB : Bcfides wc fay, mi obftriidion t^ a
tliingt but not tein.\}tfft one thing and another,
As Mr, Mid one, however, b contented with Dr, Warburton**
icadingi 1 KiVc left it in our text. Steevin s-
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA* 145
And his a^irs come to me on the wind,
jfWhere is he now ?
OcTM^ My lord, in Athens.*
Cms. No* my moft wronged fifter j Cleopatra
Hath nodded him to her. He hath given his em-
pire ,
Up to a whore ; who now arc levy ire**
The kings o' the earth for war: * He hath airem*-
%o<
bied
cchus^ the king of Lybia ; Archclaus^
Of Cappadocia; Philadelphos, king
Of Paphlagoniai the Thracian king, Adallas :
King Malchus of Arabia,- king of Pont;
Herod of Jewry I Mithridatcs, king
Of Comagene ; Polcmon and Amintas,
The kings of Mcde, and Lycaonia^ with a
More larger lift of fccpters.
Oct A. Ah me^ moft wretched^
I
^ Mj hrd^ in Athins.'\ Some words, neceflaiy to the metrr, be-
ing licre pniitted. Sir Thoioas Hanmci reads :
My /W, he ia in Athem^
Bot I nther conceive the omiflion to have been in ihc former hcmi-
fticht which might originally have ftood thus :
IVhtre i$ke^ 'pray you, n&wi
h Oaa. Mj hrd, ^ Athem.
p * ^^ who WW are lmymg^-'\ That is, which two perfoni
%ow are levying, &c. Ma lone,
^ i%e kiitgto' the rarth ^&r*wffr:] Mn Upton fcmarki, that
there are fame errors m this ctiumc ration of the auxiliary kingi:
bar it 13 probable ^hat the author did not much wi(h to be accti*
raEc. JoHNfos,
Mr- Upton propojes to read :
** -^^PokmoniinclAfuinfai
** Of Lycaonia - and the king of Med?/'
And this obviates all impropriety. StiivikSp
Vol. XII. N ft
jijjj
^ ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA,
That have my heart parted betwixt two frkndj,
That do afflid each other !
Cms. Welcome hither:
Your letters did withhold our breaking forth :
Till we pcrceiv*d, both how you were w rong led.
And we in negligent danger. Cheer your heart:
Be you not troubled with the time^ which drives
0*er your content thefe ft rong ncceffitics ;
But let determined things to deftiny
Htold unbewaird their way. Welcome to Romes
Nothing more dear to me. You are abus*d
Beyond the mark of thought: and the high godi
To do you juftice^ make them minifters *
Of us, and thofe chat love you* Beft of comfort i\
And ever welcome to m.
Agr. Welcome, lady.
Mec. Welcome^ dear madam.
Each heart in Rome does love and pity yoy :
Only the adulterous Antony^ moft large
In his abominations, turns you off;
And gives his potent regiment ' to a tnjll^
' —^ tlicm miMtfitn — ] Old Qofj — th miniflcf%
by Mr, Capcll. M a L o n e .
^ Eeft ofimfon %\ Thui the original copj. The t __
panicle, and^ f^m^ Co favour the old rcadtng, Accordin|
modem innovation, i?f of comfort, (which was mtrodiic
Rowe,) it ftands very awkwardly. " Btfi of comfort" may'i
^^TBm htft Gf cumferurti z phrafc which wc meet with a^in
The TtMj^fi :
*' A foTemn atr, and the htft ^m/crffr
" To m yjifctikd hncy\ cure !"
Cjcfar however may mean, that what he has jufl mcGtiooed it
the bcft kind of comfm that O&vta cifl peccivc, Maloki.
This elliptical phrafc, I bclicvr, only figniBcs — Maj ilsiktfi
be piits \m pmji^er aud his etnpire into the handi A Ji falfc i
»
I
I
I
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 547
That noifes it againft us*
OCTd*
Is it fo. fir!
Sifter.
Be
Cms* Moft certain
known to patience
ever
My
welcome : Pray yotJ^
deareft fifter !
[Exeunn
It may be obferved^ that imli was not^p in our author's timt, a
term of mere Inhmy, but a word of flight contempt, as wwrl is
now- Johnson*
TrMilh ufai in the Firft Part of Xm^ Rmry VI^ as fynonymoui
to h^rkt^ and ia rendered by the Latin word Scm-tum^ in Cole's
Di^onary, 1679. — 'T'here can therefore be no doubt of the fenfc
to which It is ufed hcre« Maloh I.
Rtgmmt \\ ufed for rtitmtn ox g&verHmmi by moft of our ancient
writers. The old tranflation 01 Th Sch^ia Saitmkma, is called
Th Rifimeni of HdtL
Aglin^ in Lyly's JVoman in the Moon^ ' 597 '
*' Or Hecate in Pluto's rtgim^nr/*
Again, in Spcnfer's F^erj ^ee/t^ ^*}^* ^* ^ '
*' So when he had rcfign'd hh rt^irmnit*
TruU is not employed in an unfavourable fenfe by George Pcde
in the Song of CaridQu and Miiamfm^ publifhed in England's Hc^
Ucm^ 1 600 :
" When fwaines fweete pipes arc puft, and tmlh are warmc,**
Again, in Dam^mi's Jigge in praifc of Im love, by John Wool-
ton ; printed in the fame colIe^on ;
" be thy mirth feenc;
" Heard to each fwaine, f<^n« to each /rw/A"
Again, in the eleventh book of Virgil, Twyac'i tranfladon of
the *vtrgm attendant on Camilla, ia,
" Italian tmiiei"
Mec^nas, however, by this appellation, moft certainly mei&i
no compliment to Clfopatra^ Steevei^i.
N n s
S C E NfE VII.
Antony's Camp, near the Prtmontti^sf AiBduiB*
Enter Cleopatra and Enobarbus.
Cleo. I will be even with thee, doubt it not*
Eno. But why, why, why?
Cleo. Thou liaft forfpokd ttijr being •in thefc
wars;
And, fay 'ft, it is not fit.
Eno. . ,,WelI, is it, is it ?
• .-.^.fbrfpoke m^ heiag'-^'i To firfp*^^ is A^cwtra^a, Co
Jpeak againfi, ZB forbid h to ordfT neg9tivdjf«r^J,9^l^OK.
Thi»» in Tbi Arraiznmeui.cfP&fUp. XC84: .-.j , r./
To for/peak likewiie fignifi^ ^o curjjt, Soj in Dfl^ff^s ]^iJPf
from jB//wr CMam to Z>i!^i^ Humphrey t - ivl
*' Or to /c^iii jYbolc flocfea as they did fidiif' ^ '^
liofor/feqkt in the M inftance, has the (a^ po W u 107^^
in Macbeth: ...
" He (hall five a mimfirbid.y ' ;/ ^ / ^ y " '^
So, to firihhtk meant anciently tQ withink, ^d cWeqoehtly tS'ir^
•' Therefore of it be not to bool^e/
•• Left thou forthink it when thou art too olde."
Interlude tfYfmth^ bl. 1. Btf date.
And in Gowcr, Le Confeffione Amanth, B. I. to' y^tf/^ is co
nU-Jbapez ="* " " -
•* Out of a man into a ftone
" Fotfiape;' &c.
To for/peak has generally reference to the mifchicfs efie^led by
enchantment. So, in Ben Jonfon's Staple of Ne<wst '* a
witch, goffip, toforfpeak the matter thus." In Shakfpeare it is the
oppofite of befpeak. Stebvbns.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 549
Clmo. Is't not ? Denounce againft us^* why ftiould
not we
Be there in perfon ?
Enq, [AJide.] Well, I could reply :^r-
If we (hould ferve with horfe and mares together.
The horfe were merely loft ; ' the marcs would btar
A foldier, and his horfe.
* /// n6iJ^ Denounce agalnfi ttt, Ac,] The old copy r^adi ;
Cof reded by Mf , Rowe* St e s v b n s,
I would read ;
" Is*« not ? Dfntmme againd ps, why Jliould not we
" Be there m perfon?"-^— TrRWHiTT*
Cleopatra means to fay^, ** Is not the «?ar denounced againft us?
Why (hould mt not then attend in pcrfofn ?"— -She fays, a litde
lower,
" A charge wc bear i' the war,
** And, as the prcftdcnt of my kingdom, will
" Appear there for a man/*
She fpcakj of herfclf in the plural namber, according to the
ufual ityle of fovcfcignf . M, Masok^
Mr. Malone reads with the old copy, introducing only ihc change
of a ftngle letter — denounc'/ in [lead of dcnouncV. — I have follow*
edMr. Tyrwhitt. Steevini.
Mr> Tj^nvhiti propofcd to read — dtnmnce^ but the flight ajtera-
tion for which lam anfwerahlr, is neanjr to ihc original copy* I
am not however fure that the old reading \% not right. ** If mt
dienounc'd ,' ' If there he m particular dfytundati&m againft me^ 'whj
Jhmtd nm noi ir thfrt in per/on f There ia however, in the folio, a
comma after the word so/, and no point of interrogation at the end
of the fcntcnce ; which fa^-oun the emendation now made.
Maloni.
Snrcly^ no valid inference can be drawn from fuch uncertain
firemifei m the pun^ation of the old copy, which {to ufe die words
of Rofalind and Touchftone in Asym like it) is ** as fortune will, or
at the deltifiics decree/' Steevens*
* » merely /g^^] u e. entirely » abfolutcly loft. So, in
M&mifi:
— things rank* and grofi in nature
" PoOcfs it wiffr/y/' Stieviii«<
N n 3
ANTONY AND CLfedPATRjP
Cleo. What is't yxm fay ?
Eno. Your prefence needs mull puztlc Antony ;
Take from his heart, take from his brain, from hii
time,
What fliould not then be ffjar'd. He is already
Tradiic'd for levity j and 'tis faid in Rome,
That Photinus an eunuch, and your maids.
Manage this war.
CiEO* Sink Rome; and their tongues rot.
That fpeak againft us I A charge we bear i' the
war.
And, as theprt^dent of my kingdom, will
Appear there for a man. Speak not againft it i
I will not ftay behind.
Eno. Nay, I have done :
Here comes theemperon
Enter Antony and CANrDius.
A^T. Is't not ft range, Canidius,
That from Tarcntum, and Brundufium,
He could fo quickly cut the Ionian fea,
And take in Toryne?* — You have heard on*r,
fweet ?
•• Cleo* Celerity is never more admir'd,
Than by the negligent.
Ant^ a good rebuke,
Which might have well becom'd the beft of nieii>
To taunt at flacknefs, — Canidius, we
Will fight with him by fea.
Cleo. By Tea! Whatclfe?
€an* Why will my lord do fo ?
* And take in T&rpit ^] To tab m li to gain by conqtieft. Sec
Vol. VII. p, 1 60, a. 5 J and Vol, XIL p» 16, 11,9. St^sfens*
7
AKTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 55^
Anx^ For he dares us ' to*t,
Eho* So hath mjr lord dar*d him to iinglc fight.
▼ Can, kj^ and to wage this battle at Pharfalia,
Where Caefar fought with Pompey ; But thcfe of-
fers,
Which fcrve not for hia vantage, he fliakes off;
And fo ftiould you.
Enq* Your (hips are not well mann'd:
Your mariners are muleteers, reapers,* people
Ingrofs'd by fwift imprefs ; in Caefar's fleet
Are thofe, that often have 'gainft Pompey fought;
Their fliips are yare ; yourSj heavy, ' No difgrace
Shall fall you for refufing him at fea^
Being prepared for land.
Anr. By fea, by fea.
Eno. Mod worthy fir» you therein throw away
The abfolute foldierfhip you have by land ;
Diftrad your army, which doth moll gonfift
Of war-mark'd footmen; leave unexecuted
Y'our own renowned knowledge j quite forego
The way which promifes afTurance; and
* For hr darn m ] L c, hecauft he dares us. So, inOiMh:
** — Haply, for I am black ^-"
The old copy recjundandy reads^ — For iJb^i he. See VoL XIII-
p. 149, n- 4. Steivins,
♦ TcMr marhtrx art muleteers, t^^ptn^ Arc,] The old copy hai
milititu The correftion wa* made by the editor of the fecond
fotio* It 15 confirmed by the old iranilation of Plurareh : *' — for
lackc of watermen his cap rains did pretFe by force all forte* of mea
out of Grace, that they could mke ap in rhc field i ai travellers,
mtdiierst reapers, harveit-mea/' Jkc. MifiiUr was the old fpctling
of mtiUtetr^ M A L O K fi H.
^ Thtirfiii^t are yarc; ymrt^ ^dn?y,] So» in Sir Thomas North's
Tluimch. — " Cscfar's fliips were not built for pomp, high and
great, ^c, hut they were light afyara^i-/* Tart generally fignificip
iiixir&MSt maH>fihh, See Vol, ill. p, j, n. 3/ STiEViJfv.
N n 4
5|2 Aimym Aim oleopatrai
Give Up'yoyflfif Mcrtly^to ch«U:eWi4^
From firm fecurky. ^-^ r4rr . . i m
Clbo. 1 have fixry fails, C^far none bettci;.*
Ant. Our overplus of fhipping will we burn ^
And, with the rell full-mann'd, from the head of
Aiflium
Beat the approaching Csefar. But if we fail,
Enter a MefTenger-
We then can do't at land. — Thy bufmefs ?
Mes. The news is true, my lord ; he is dcfcriecti
Caefar has taken Toryne.^ ' ^ ^
Jnt- Can he be there inperfon ? 'tis impofliblc i
Sttange, that hit power fhould be** — Ga nidi us.
Our nineteen legions thou Ihalt hold by land, *^
And our twelve thoufand horfc;-*We1l to our
(hip;
Enter a Soldier*
:tt3
,Away, my Thais ! * — How now, worthy foldier?
X
;.
** ^^—C^Jarm^i &fiUn} I tnuft fuppofe this motUatcd Umt to
bave origitially ran thus % ■
* Strmg^f thai hk power fimld ^,] It b ftmngc that h%% fgrttM
(houM be there. So afterwards in this fceiie :
'* His pmjotr went out in fuch di^tradiofiis as
** BeguUd aU fpics."
f Again, m our author's Rapt of tmrecr:
•* Before the whi«h wa* drawn the /^wajct- of Greece-*'
Malqite.
* mj Tj&f/d/] Antony raaj^ addrefs Cleopatra by the name
of thb fea-njnnph, bicaufe fhe had joft pomifea him aililliacf In
hi« tiaval expediuon ; or peihap$ in allulion to her voyage down
ANTONY AND Ci£QPATRA*> 555,
SotD* O noble emperor,' do not fight by fea ;
Trufl: not to rotcea planks : Do you mifdoubt
This fword, and thefe my wounds? Let the Egyp-
tians,
And the Phoenicians, go a ducking ; we
Hayeus'd to conquer, (landing on the ^arth^
And fighting foot to foot.
jIht. Well, well* away.
lExeuHi Antony, Cleopatra, and Esobakmvs^
Sold. By Hercules, I think, I am i' the right.
Can. Soldier, thou art: but his whole adioa
grows
Not in the power on't : * So our leader's ledj
And we are women's men.
I
the Cydnos, when ihe tppeared like Th^rii farroutidetl by the Ne-
wdds^ Steivini,
7 0 mhie empif^Tg &c*] So, in the old tranflation of Plata rc&m
** Now J as he was ictting his men in order of battel, there wu
% captainc, Sc a valiant man, that had fcmcd Antomos in many
battcb k con^iih^ Sc had all his body hacked Sc cut : who at
Antoniui paiTed by him, crj-cd out vnto him, and fiyd ; O, noble
emperor, how commeth it to paiTc that you tnjft to thcfe vile brittle
Jhippes ? what^ doc you miftruft thefe woujides of iJiyne, and thii
fword ? let the i^gyptians and Phacfdciansi fight by fea, and fet v*
on the mainc land, where we vfe to conquer, or to be flaync oti
our feetc. Antonius pa (Ted by him, and fayd neuer a word, but
only beckoned to him with his hand and head, as though he willed
him to be of j|ood corage, aUhough indeede he had no great corage
Mrafelfc.'* Stsevens.
• Sold, By Heradetf I think ^ I am i^ tht rights
Can^ Soldier^ ik^u an: hut hh njsthait aifhn gr&Wi i . i -
Nat iff thf pmAttr wV;] That is, his whole condufl becoifket
QUgpvemcd by the right, or by reafon* Johnson. •
1 think the fcnfe h very different, and that Can id i us means to
lay. His whole conduft in the war b not founded upon that which
if his greatcft ftrength, (namely his iand force,] but on the caprice
of a woman, who wiJl^es that he ihould fight by fca* Dr* Johnfoa
referi the word <?«'/ to rhht in the preceding fpeech. 1 apprehend,
ii refer* to 4iilim in the ^cch before us. Maloni^
554 ANTONY AND CLEOPAXRAi
3^0 ID. Yoli k^^p by lajKl
The legions and the horfe whole^ do you nm ?
Can. Marcus CMlavius, Marcus jufteius,
Publicola, and Caelius, are for fca :
But we keep whole by land. Thb fpecdof Caa&r's
Carries beyond belief.^
Sold. While he was* yet in Ronie,
His power went out in fuch diftradions/ as
Bcguil'd all fpies.
Cjn* Who's his lieutenant, hear you ?
Sold. They fay, one Taurus.
Can. Well I know the man,
Enier a MeflTengcr,
Mss, The emperor calls for Canidius,'
Can. With news the time's with labour j and
throes forth^^
Each minute, fome. [Exaatn
s Czirits lrjwdhiie/,\ Perhap this phi^fc h from ^icheiy*
So, In King Henry IV, P. II : ** — he would have mrritd yo« a
forehand fhafc a fourteen and fourteen and a half.'* Steev&si^
*" Whili be was — ] Of what ufe are the words — ht mm, except
10 vitiate the metre ? S t c c¥ c n Si
1 ^^.^-SJlra&hns^l Dctachmena; fcparatc bodia. Johnsok*
Tlie word is thus ufed hy Sir Paul Rycaut in his Maxfim of
Tmrkijh P&lhj; ■* and not fuffcr hu afie^^otis to wander on
otrier wives, flaves, or diftrm^httuff hu iov€.*' Steevems.
» The emperffr c^ih for Cafiidiuu] The prepcririon^Sr, w^as ju^
dtciouHy inferred hy Sir Thomas Haniner, to complete the meafure.
So, in a future fcenc ;
*' ealiyor Enobarbu^, — -*' Steevcn;?.
•> —..flvd throes /flrfA,] i. e, emits as in partnririon, So^ i^ Th§
Temptji :
*' ■ - - - proclaim a birth
** Which (hrort thcc mnch to yield/' Stiivini,
tb^m- A^ "c^dnrRh. ssi
.. il :
SCENE VIII.
A Plain near Adium.
Enter C^sar^ Taurus, Officers^ and Others.
Cms. . Taurus,—
Taur. My lord.
Cms. Strike not by land ; keep whole :
Provoke not battle, till we have done at fea.
Do not exceed the prefcript of this fcroU :
Our fortune lies upon this jump. [^Exeunt.
Enter Antony and Enobarbus.
Asr. Set we our fquadrons on yon* fide o* the
hill.
In eye of Caefar's battle ; from which place
We may the number of the Ihips behold.
And fo proceed accordingly. {^Exeunt.
Enter Canidius, marching with his land army one
way over theftage\ and Taurus, the lieutenant of
Cslar, the other way. After their going in^ is
heard the noife of a fea^-fight.
Alarum. Re-^enter Enobarbus.
Evo. Naught, naught, all naught! I can behold
no longer :
The Antoniad,* the Egyptian admiral,
> The Antoniad, &c.] Which Plotarch layt, was Ae name of
Cleopatn's (hip. Port.
55^ Af^rtOl^V A}«D 6uftC*AtRl(A
With all their flxtyl fly, and idrn the riiddcf ;
To fec't, mih<^ *ycS are blaftefl. ^ -
£»/^r ScARUs.
Scar. Gods, and goddefles.
All the whole fynod of them I
Eno. What's thy paflion?
Scar. The greater cantle ' of the world is loft
With very ignorance ; we have kifs'd away
Kingdoms and provinces.
Eno. How appears the fight ?
ScARf On our fide like the tokened * peftilence^
Where death is fure. Yon* ribald-rid * nag of
I ?i&^|tw>/^r^ntl^— — ] A p2«ce or lump. Popb.
CoMile is rather a canur. Caefiir in this phy pentJOBs the
three-nook* d *wrti^ Of this triangi^ iy»>rldx«^ j(riom?tr, iiftd «
comer. JoRif$9ir, ., , . • ; :
The word is ufed by Chaucer in 7& Kn^bd Tale, Mr* Tyr*
whitt's edit, v. 3010 :
*' Of DO partie ne omul of a thing.*' STEfViirs.
Sec Vol. VIII. p. 491, n. 3. MALbhE.
4 ^^^^^hkett^i-^] Spotted. Johkson.
The death of thofe vifited by the plague was certain, when par-
ticular eruptions appeared on the iidn; and thefe were rjlliil
God's tokens. So, in the comedy of Tocw nvi/e Men and all the rwft
Fools ^ in feven a6b» i6iq: ** A will and a tolling bdl are at
prefent death as God's toitnt** Again, in Herod and Amtifattr^
1622 :
'' His iicknefs, madam, raseth like a plague,
•* Oiict /potted t ne^ercur*dl**
Again, in Love's Labour's Loft:
•* For the Lord's tokens on you both I fee."
Sec Vol. V. p. 339, n. 9. Steevens,
^ ribald — ] A luxurious fquanderert Pope^
The word is in the old edition ribaudred, which I do not i|n*
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 557
Whom leprofy o'ertake ! ^ V the midft o' the fight,—
When vantage like a pair of twins appear'd,
}
defHaod, hm mention ir. In hopes otliers may raifc hmt h^ppf
con jcftu re. Johnson,
A rtWiis a lewd fdlow* So* in Jrdgft ff Fi%'erfiamt f 59* s
** thut injurious rihall thsx attempts
** To vyolatc my dear wyvc^s chaftiry,^'
Again;
*• Injurious ftnimpet, and thou nhaid knave*"
Rihmdnd^ the old reading it, I belieye, no more tlian a cor*
ruption. Shakfpeare, who is not always very nice about his vcr-
£acation» might have written:
Ym ribald- rid nag of Egypt, —
L c* Yon ftrumpct, who b commoii to cvciy wanton felloiV,
Steeveks,
I have adopted the happy emendation propofed by Mr. Stccvens,
Ri^audwss only the old fpelling o^ ribmd*^ and the mifprint t^frtd
for i^d is ealily accountoi for,-— Whenever by any negligence in
writing a dot is omitted over an i, compofitors at the prefs inva-
riably print an f# Ofthisl have had experience in many {heets
of my edition of Shakfpearc, being very often guilty of that negli-
gence which probably produced the error in the pailfegc before us.
In our author's own edition of hii Rape of Lu^n^e^ ^594* '
have lately obferved the fame error :
" Afflidl htm in hii bed with bcd-^r^ groani.^*
A gain J in H&mki^ 1 604* Signati B.. 3. [ A^ h fc* ii#]
" Who impotent, and bed-r^^, icarcdy heats
" Of this his nephew's purpofc."
Bj riiaid, Scarus, ItKinkj meansthe lewd Antony in particular^
not " iviry lewd fellow/' as Mr, Steevens has explained it.
Maloks.
— ^ Tort ribald nag &/ Egjf^i,] I believe we ftionid ixad-^d^,
Wbaf follows fecms to prove ii :
^^' *' She once being loof *d*
'' * *' The noble ruin of her magkk^ Antony,
'• Claps on his fea- wing.*' Tyrwbitt*
Odd as this ufc of nag might appear ro Mr, Tyrwhitlt pdt Is
daily ufed in the fame manner. H e n l e y»
The brieie, or ceftrum, the fly that flingi cattle, proves that
mag is the right v vord . Johnson*
* Whom leprofy oWiakf /] Lfpro/j^ an epidemical diAempcr of
ihc ^g^'ptjam; to which Horace probably allude* in the contro*
verted line :
aJ
558 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Both as the fame, or rather ours the elder/ —
The brJM upon her,^ like a cow in June,
Hoifls fails^ and Bies*
Esq* That I beheld : mine eyes
Did ficken at the fight on't/ and could not
Endure a further view,
Sc^R. She once being loofd,^
The noble ruin of her magic k, Antony,
Claps on his fea-wing, and like a doting mallard^
Leaving the fight in height, flies after her:
*' CenlMMiitctQ cum grvge turpium
'* Mifrifo ^•ireritm^ ** Johnson*
Lffr$J^ was one of the venous luines by which the Lttet ^^emrta
was dillinguiftied. So, in Greene's Di/pMiMShn hf'we^ m Ht
Cmryeaicher m^d u Ske C^ttQcsicher, i 591 : " Into what joDpardy
a man will tbruft himfelf for her that he loves, although for hii
fweece vilkmo he be brought to loath fome k^rofii,** Steefiks.
riiny, who fays, the 'whifi Zf/ra^, or eUf^h^ntiqfis , was not fecu
in ItaJy before the time of Pompcy the Great, adds, it is «' a
peculiar maladie, and naturM Iq ibt Mgypttam \ but looke wheQ
any of ihdr kings fell into it, woe worth the fubje^ and poorc
people : for then were the tubs and bathing vcflcU wherein they
fate in the bainc, jilled with men's bloud for their cufc/* Bkdtmwm
Hoiiafid't 1 ranflation, B. XX VL Ci u Reed,
* B^ih ai thi famct nr raiher Mft ihi tidtr, ] So. m Jmiim
•' We nmre t^o ikm, iiifer'd /^ dtre dixjt
'* Bnt I ike eider md tmre UrriUeJ' St EI r E K$.
"* *J%e brize npcn Arr,] The ir/2^ is the gsd^fy. So, in Spetilef :
*• a irixc, a fcomed little cr^mrc,
*• Through his fair bide hia ^ngry ftiog did ihreatrn**'
Stieveksp
• Didjeken ci thejtghi on't,] For the infertiotY t>f— ^'/, to com-^
plcte che meafure, I am anfwerable, being backed^ howevcti by
the authority of the following paffage in Cjmbeiim :
" ■ the fweet view m"i
" Might well have warm'd old Sattim, — *" Sxiivi h s,
*' hiiftg loof'd,] To Imfh to bring a fhipclofc to the wind.
This exprelHoa b m the old tranilation of Fluugrch. ST£&v£3i'i*
I never faw an adlion of fuch (hame ;
Experience, manhood, honour, ne'er before
Did violate fo itfelf.
Eno. Alack, alack !
Enter Canidius.
Can. Our fortune on the fea is out of breath.
And finks moft lamentably. Had our general
Been what he knew himfelf,-it had gone well :
O, he has given example for our flight,
Moft grofsly, by his own,
Eno. Ay, are you thereabouts ? Why then, good
night
Indeed. [a/ide.
Can. Towards Peloponnefus are they fled.
Scar. 'Tis eafy to't ; and there I will attend
What further comes.
Can. To Caefar will I render
My legions, and my horfe ; fix kings already
Show me the way of yielding.
Eno. ril yet follow
The wounded chance of Antony,* though my reafon
Sits in the wind againft me. [Exeunt.
, , *^Tlfe ^wounded chance of Aittcnyt'] I know not whether the
author, who loves to draw his images from the fports of the field,
Moight not have written :
The ivounded chafe of Antony^
The allufion is to a de^r wounded and chafed, whom all other
'deer avoid. I wU^ fays Enobarbas, /0/&<xi; if/r/Mpr, though ri&^/
'and ^wounded.
The common reading, however, may very well fland.
Johnson.
The nuatnded chance of Antony, is a phrafe nearly of the fiune
import as the broken fortunes of Antony. The old reading is UMMH^
putably the true one* So, in the fifth AA :
560 ANTONY AND CLEOPATHA.
SCENE IX
Alexandria, A Room in the Palace^
£ii/tT Antohy, and Aiiendanis,
Ant. Hark, the land bids me tread no more
upon't.
It is afitam'd m bear me ! — ^Friends^ come hither;
I am fo la ted in the world/ that I
Have loft my way for ever : — I have a fhip
Laden with gold; take that^ divide it; fly.
And make your peace with Ca^far.
Arr. Fly ! not we.
Ant* I have fled myfelf; and have inftrudcd
cowards
To run, and (how their fhoulders, — Friends, be
gone;
I have myfelf refolv^d upon a courfcp.
Which has no need of you ; be gone : *
My treafure's in the harbour, take it.— O,
" Or 1 fhalT fhow the cmdcrs of my ipirir,
" Through the alHcs of my ihtmcfJ" Miitoirf,
Mr. Malonehas jndiciodly defended the old reading,
wc have a ph rafc fo mcwhat fi mUar to imund^d chantt ; v i l . .^
matter.** Ste evens.
a fi ktcd in the mt^rid^\ Alluding to a bcuigliteJ tfAVtUcrr
So, ill MathnK Aa m :
•• Novp fpufs the latid travdJer apace/* St « e v i j#f *
I *,^ hg^t ;] Wc mighty 1 think, ftfclf complcic tlac aca^
fmt by reading :
ANTONir AND CiJIOFATRA. 561
I followed that I blufli to look upoai
My very hairs do mutiny 1 for the white
Reprove the brown for rafhnefs, and they thehi
For fear and doting. — » Friends, begone ; you ftiall
Have letters from mc to fome friends, that will
Sweep your way for you/ Pray you, look not fad.
Nor make replies of loathnefs : take the hint
Which my defpair proclaims ; let that be left
Which leaves itfelf : ^ to the fea fide ftraightway :
I will poffefs you of that fhip and treafure.
Leave mc, I pray, a little ; 'pray you now; —
Nay, do fo; for, indeed, I have loft command,*
Therefore I pray you : — I'll fee you by and by»
Enter Eros, and Cleofatra, led iy Char mi ak
t and Iras/
Ej?05- Nay, gentle madam, to him; — Comfort
him.
Iras* Do, moft dear queen*
Cbar. Do ! Why, what elfe ? '
4 S^mef jmr ijnaj for j^n\ So, in Uamhtt
** they mud /urff* my *may^
" And marfhail roe lo knaVcry," Steev bni.
* let that bf Uft
Whkk imvrM itfii/:] Old copy — let if^m^ kQ* Corrc^ by
Mr. Capell- M a lom ,
t ^^^^ / i^^f^ /^ cmnmrnd^^ I ana not maker of ray own cnio*
tioiis^ Johns OK,
Surely, he rather means^ — I mrreat you to leave me, becaufc I
have loft all power to cemmand your abfenoc^ Stsete ns*
Mr, Stee:vcii& Is certainly right. So, in Ki/tg ^kbard if I:
*' Tell her, the king, that may tsmrnrndt fxirean/*
^ Malohi.
' f D& t Why^ mkat *•//& ? 5rc,] Being uncertain whtthei thrfe, an4 ***
Vol. XIL O o
jit ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Cleo. Let me fit down. O Juno !
Jsr, No^ no^ no, no, no,
Mros* See you hcrc^ fir?
Jht. O fye, fye, fyc.
Chjr. Madam,^ —
Iras, Madani j O good cttjprefs ! —
Eros. Sir, fir, —
Ant, Yes^ my lord, yes ; — He, at Philippi, kq>f
His fword even like a dancer; ' while I ftruck
€thcr (hort and mtcrrupted fpcccfies in the fcenc l>eforc as, wcrt
ojlginally dcfigncd to form regular vcrfcs; and fufpcdiog that io
fomc degree they have been mutilated, I have maJc no ancnspt ai
their airangcmcfit. Stsevehs*
Hh /iL*ord t^rtfi /fkra drnftri] In ihe Modfco* and perhaps
anciendy in the Pyrrhkk dance ^ the dancer* held {wQtd% in thrif
handa with the points upward, John son «
I am told that the pcafants^ iii Northumberland have a fwmt*
i&nie which they always praftice at Chriftmas, Stl evens.
Sword dances at Chriftmas are not peculiar to Northumberland ;
they are common to the adjoining counties ; and arc* not without
the greateft probability, fuppofed to have de fee nded from the
Romans* In thefe dances rhc fword points arc generally over the
fhouldcrs of the performers. Aotony mean*, that Caiar good in-
active with his fword on his fliotildcr, RiTtoN.
The Goths in one of their dances held fwords in ticir hands
with the points upwards, iheathed and unlhcathed. Might not
the Moors in Spain borrow this cuRom of the Goihs who inter-
mixed with them ? Tolls t,
1 bdievc it means that Cafar never offered to draw his fword,
but kept it in the fcabbard, like one who dances with a fwofd
on, which was formerly the cultom in England* There is a Jitnikr
alluiion in THut Aniranicm^ hi\ IL fc, i :
•• our mother, unadvis'd^
" Gave you a dancing rapkr by your fide," Sti eviks.
That Mr* S tee vcns's explanation \\ juft, appears from a palTage
"' " * »-•"-* " lamenting 1 *
: %yflri.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 563
The lean and wrinkled Caflius ; and 'twas I,
That the mad Brutus ended : * he alone
Dealt on lieu tenantry,* and no pradtice had
In the brave fquares of war : Yet now — No matter*
" I fiiall ftay here the forehorfc to a fmock*
** Creaking my {hoes on the plain mafonry,
" Till honour be bought up, and no ftmrd ^wom,
•* But one to dance wiib.**
The word %v^m fhows thai in botB |>aflages our aathor waa
thinking of the Englifh, and not of the Pyrrhick, or the Monfco,
dance, (as Dr, Johnfon fuppofed,) in which the fword was mt
n^m at the fide, but held in the hand with the point upward.
Maloki*
• and'nmi /,
Thai th^ mad Brutms tndtd;'] Nothing can be more in charac-
ter, than for an infamous debauched tyrant to call the heroic love
of one's country and publick Hbcrty, maJne/s^ Warb vKton,
* he uhm
Dealt on Ikuimantrj^ I know noi whether the meaning is,
that Cxfar aded only as lieutenant at Philippic or that he made
his aitcmpts only on lieutenants^ and left the generals to Antony.
Johnson,
Deah m htuten€mtty^ \ believe, meaHf only,— ^w^^/ hy prmj^
made war by his lieutenants, or ojv the ftrength ot hia lieutenant t.
So> in a former fccne, Vcntidius obfcrvcs —
*' Cntr/ar and Antony have ever won
*• More In thtir efficet\ than perfon/'
^ in the countefs of Pembroke 6 AntonU^ ^595 *•
" Caflius and Bmtus ill betid^
•' March 'd againft us, by us twice put to flight,
'* But by tny fole condntl ; for ail the time,
*' Caefar heart-fick with fear and feaver lay/'
To deal m any thing, is an cxprefllon often ufcd b the old playSf
So* in The Rmrmg Girl^ iSiii
" You wul dtai up<i^ men's wives no more."
The prcpofitioni m and upm arc fometimes oddly employed by
our ancient writers. So» in Drayton** Mijtritt ^/^ Margatrt ;
»'* That it amas'd the manhn^ Iq behold
*' Men fo ill arm'd, ttpsjt ihcir bows fo bold/*
Upm their bow^s mtift here mean aft f he J? r€jf^ih of ih^ir h^s — iy-
tftiir &&*WfM /Vgain, in M^rit^ *wifh »«n t& Seffhm Wsldms
O O 2
Again
564 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRX
Cleo^ Ah, ftaiid by*
Eros. The queen, mj^ lord> the queen,
Iras* Go to him, madam, (peak 10 him ;
He is unqualitied^ uiih very fhame*
Clbo. Well then,— Suftain me; — O!
Eros* Mofl: noble fir, arife; the queen
preaches ;
Her head's declin'd, and death will fciEe her; but
ap^
Sec. hy Niiftw-, 1196: •* At Wolfe'ihcu biljcted^ fi^teacing tsd
dtaim^ tipsn it molt int entirely,*' ^Agami in Qtkeik * . ^
•* C/flir niaUcious bravery doft diou come
*' To ftarr my c]uict,**
Ag^Qt ia ^'«f^ Richard HI :
" ^— pareihey that I WQuH have the^ i/#ii/j<:^J'
Stecvens's cxpTanaeioti of this pffagc Ujuft, and agreeable to the
charafier hero given of Auguftus. bhakfpcare rcprcfcnu him^ in
the next a^* as giving his orders to Agripp, and remaining arv-
engagcd himfelf, ^
« Go forrh, Agrippa, aftd begin the figfit,-^^!;;*^ •
Again ; ^ *
\ n Gb/did|e, Agrippar* M.Maso^*
In the life of Artftmy Shakfprare found the follow'
" — they w^re ailways more fommatc whtix thtj mnu hj
thtif iftuiinmiUf ^^ by liicmfclves j"-^whicii fully cjtpbinv i^at
before us. . ,« '
The fuir v^rds alfo^*'iind no pra^fiice had/* &*:, (hmr
that Mr* ^l : >. rigKtly intetpreteil this tjaiTagc. The phf aie
to d€ai tn is Lfkeuyifefeund in Fhne Fennyt^fft hu fupplkatkn $&iht
Dt'ViU by T, Na'il^, '19*' " When dice/ Inft^ nnd drunbei^neDj
lU have ir^// ///©« hjm, if there be never a ptaie for him to go ro
for his penic, he fits melancholic in his chamber/' MAtoNE.
* Hi h unqtialiticd -''^— -] I fuppgfe flictncaas^ Xx^xs mnfitldurti^
^aUij m SLikfpeare's age wa^ often ufed \qx fr&Jtffi^ii, It has. I
think* thal^meaning in the paffage in OihjiU^ in which Def^cinofia
cxprefTa her tkfire to accompany the Moor in His miJItary fcrvic^ 7
*« — ^ My heart's fabdijeS ' * ^*
\u*
** Even to the very ftmiitj of my lord/* Malose,
Ptrhipi un^miUitd^ on ly^igni^eswiwwiiflif^j/ in general^ difatmfd
*/*ii> ufitul fmhhitt^ without any partjcnf^r reftrence to foldienhl^l
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 565
Your comfort ' makes the refcue*
Ant* I have ofFended reputation;
A moft unnoble fwerving.
Ekqs. Sitj the qiieen*
Ant. 0» whither haft thou led me, Egypt ? Sec,
How I convey my fhame* out of thine eyes
hy looking back on what I have left behind
'Scroy'd in diftionour.
I Cleo. O my lord, my lord I
ffoigivc my fearful fails ! I little thought^
pfou would have followed,
Ant^ Egypt, thou knew 'ft Eoo well.
My heart was to thy rudder tied by the ftrings/
And thou ftiouid'ft tow^ me after: O'er my fpirit
Thy full fupremacy ' thou knew^'ft; and that
' dtntb fwiiifei^e htr ; but
Tsur €$m/ori S^c] But has here, ai$ once before in thi$ plajv
Ifte fb rcc of except, qx un!^/$, Johnson.
I raiher incUrie to think that hut has here its otdinary fig;nification.
If it had been ufcd for uuitfii Shakfpcarc would, I conceive, have
written^ according to hja ufual practices, make^ MALowKi
4^ Htm> / (4n*vrj my Jhame j How^ hy iooking another way,
I withdraw my ignominy from your fight* Johnson,
I * ■ tied hj (hi firings,] That is, by the heart-firlfig,
■ JoMNSQN*
So, in ThtTragtdh^f Jmio9kt done into Englifh by the coun-
icfK of Pembroke » 'S95*
** >"- a^ if nis foule
" Unto his ladies foule had been emhmutii,
" He left his men'' &c. Steevehs.
** Jhnuidfi tow — ] The old copy has — fhould'^ fi^^ me.
This i^ one of the many corruptions occafioncd fay the tranfcribci'i
r deceiving him* Tlie corrc^ion was made by Mx. Rowc.
Ma LONE.
i Thj fftil ffitrtmatj ] Old copf— Ti&i' foil—* Corrc4ted
ly Mr, Theobald, MAtOKt,
O o J
I
566 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Thy beck might from the bidding of the gods
Command me.
Cleo. O, my pardon*..
Ant* Now I muft
To the young man fend humble treaties^ dodge
And palter in the fliifts of lownefs ; who
With half the bulk o* the world play'd as I pleas'd.
Makings and marring fortunes. You did know»
How ipuch you were my conqueror ; and that
My fword, made weak by my affedion^ would
Obey it on all caufe.
Cleo. O pardon, pardon.
Ant. Fall not a tear, I fay ; one of them rates
All that is won and loll : * Give me a kifs ;
Even this repays me.— We fentour fchoolmafteTj
Is he come back ?— Love, I am full of lead : —
Some wine, within • there, and our viands : — For*
tune knows.
We fcom her moft, when mod fhe offers blows.
All that is won and loft :] So, in Maekfb:
" When the batrie'i UJi and tvoft.'* Malon t.
• .— wiV^*»— i— ] This word might be fairly ejected, ^' it
has no other force than to derange the metre. Steevbns.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, 567
SCENE X.
Cacfar's Camp^ in Egypi,
Enier C.csar, Dolabilla, Thy re us,' and Oihers*
Cms, Let htm appear that's come from Antony.^ —
Know you him ?
DoL, Ceefar, 'tis his fchoolmafter : '
An argument that he is pluck*d, when hither
tie fends fo poor a pinion of his wing.
Which had fuperfluous kings for meffengers,
Not many moons gone by.
Enter Amhd.f[kdor /rem Kntony,
Cm$* Approach, and fpeak,
Amb* Such as I am^ I come from Antony :
I was of late as petty to his ends.
As is the morn-dew on the myrtle !eaf
To his grand fea.'
Cms, Be it fo ; Declare thine officc-
V Thjrtut,'] In the old copy always — Thidim, S t 1 1 \' c k i.
* ^^ hit fcho&imaftf : ] The na^mc of this pcrfon was BnphrmiMs*
Steivims*
He was fchoolmaftcr to Antony's thildrm fey Cleopatra*
^ m ^tiy io hk mdi^
As is the mQrtf-dmMt m the mjrili iritf
Tq hn grand /ra,] TKus the old copy. To 'whafi graixd fca ?
I know not* Perhaps wc (hould read :
To this grand /ea*
We may foppofe that ihe fea was within vhw of C^far's camp,
ind at no great diftaBcc, Tykwuitt,
O o 4
568 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRAi
Amb, Lordof Viis fortunes he falutcs thee, and
Requires to live in Egypt i which not granted.
He Icflens his requefts ; and to thee fues
To let hira breathe between the heavens and earth,
A private man in Athens : This for him.
Ncxt^ Cleopatra does confefs thy grc^tnefs ;
Submits her to thy might ; and of thee craves
The circle of the Ptolemies* for her heirs.
Now hazarded to thy grace.
Cms. For Aqiony,
The modem editors aibitrarily read :*^iht gnrnd fea- ' A
1 believr the old reading « die Uijc iwm:- M/ ' ' ly^
mean hh full Ude 0/ fn^jvnrj. So* in iSr T^uis :^
byFleccber;
** —'—^ though I know
*' His 0€tan ne<3s not m)* poor drap^/)^t iKc)*
•' Muft yield their tribute here*"
Tticre U a pbyhoufc tradirion that the ilrA ad of thli play wm%
wriiifn by Shakfpcare, Mr. Toilet o^b a Airther explaTiaUdli
nf the change propofed by Mr, Tymhitt; ** AlcKaftdriaj towJLrJ«
wluch Ca:far was marchin^j h fituatcd on the coaft of the Medifer-
fftnean fira, which is fonKtimea called marf m^^ntim. PI by lerm*
Jt, " imme^/a tefttsrtm'va^itas**' I may add, ihai Sir John Man-
dcvile^ p. $9, calls that prt of the Meditcirarican uhicji waibcf
the coaft of Paleftine, ** ihi grgu ftcJ' The paflage, however^ is
capable of yet another explanation. Hh grand fia may mean the
1c4 fiom which the dcw-cfrop is exhaled. Shakipeare might hiire
conlidered the fca as the fource of deu 1 m well as laiiu His h iiTcd
inllt-ad of j//i Steeve ?^5*
, Ty rwhitt's ftmetsdmeiit is more likdy to be right, than Stccvtni'*
ci^planation. NL MA&oN-
^ J believe the lail is the ri^ht explanailoa. Henley*
The laft of Mr. Steeveni 't cjcplattatiom cet ttinjy gives the faiJc
of ShaJdpeare* U hiiht not uied for Hi^ be has m^e a pcrfon of
* Ti?f emit g/ ihf Pt&itvUn *^— ] The diadem i the eniigti of
royally. Johmaom*
So, in Moih^th :
** All that impedes thee from the poldcn mmd^
« Which fate and metaphylical aid
" Would hare thee €rtmm*d withal.*' MjtLottt.
I
I
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 569
I have no cars to his requeft. The queca
Of audience, nor defirc, ftiall fail ; fo ihe
From Egypt drive her all-difgraced friend,*
Or take his life there : This if ftie pcrfonn.
She fhall not fue unheard. So to them both.
jiMB. Fortune purfue thee!
Cms^ Bring him through the bands*
^Kxii Ambaffador*
To try thy eloquence, now 'tis time : DefpatcHj
From Antony win Cleopatra : promife, *
[ia Thyreus.
And in our name^ what (he requires ,* add more,
From thine invention^ offers ; women are not.
In their beft fortunes, ftrong; but want will per*
jure
The ne*er-touch'd veftah* Try thy cunning,
Thyreuss
Make thine own edid: for thy pains^ which we
Will anfwer as a law.
Thtr. C^far, I go.
Cms. Obfcrve how Antony becomes his flaw; ^
And what thou think*ft his very action fpeaks
In every power that moves.'
Thtr, C^far, I fhalL {ExmnU
« ^^-fmnd^l u c, paramour* See Vol- XIII, p-
Sjti
• *Wiil f^r/strf
The ne'er^tmich^d vcftal :] So, in The Rafe of Lmnte:
** O Of^portunity I ihj guilt n great : —
** Thou mak'ft the *vijhi ^kiatc her oath,'* Maloke.
■^ — ^floti ATjtmy iyeCQmts hit fam.'{\ That bt how Antony
KXinforms him fel f to this breach of h is fan u nc, Jo k n so n «
- her foot f/ffaij , her — fyi t i ta look out
•' At f^itry joint and fJtofft'e of her bodjr,**
STESrENI,
* Jjtd ^whitt thcti thimk*Ji hh ^very a^ion fpcaks
■ im e*vefy pmMtr thai m^yvet^^ So, m TrQilm and Crifflda
AiNTTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
SCENE XL
Alexandria. A Rmm in the Palace*
Enter Cleopatra, Ehobarbus, CjiARMiANi mnd
Iras.
Clbo. What fliall we do, Enobarbus? ^ ^
£ivo* Think, aiid die*
* Whai ^fi?ali ^)^ do, Emharhusf^ I have Jictk doabc buc cii^
the verb— Wb, which is injurious lo the metre, wat Uterpolatcd,
and that fomc player or iranfcriber (as in many for mcf inilaoces)
has here defeated the purpofc of an dKpfis convenicM to verifica-
tion, IVktU Jhaii 'me T in ancienl familiar language, ii frequently
underftood to fignify^-What (hall we d& f STt t if%mt*
^ Thmk, mdMt^] Sir T, Han me r reads : ;
Drink, ^xd diu
And his emendation has been approvrf, it reemi, by Dr. Wkr-
bunon and Mr. Upton* Dr* Johnfon, howe^Tt, ^* fjas not ad-
vanced it into the page, not being convinced that it is "^■-^-^.\
'* TA«fl, mddk;** fays he, *' that is, Rffif^mjam ai^ •/
iemjt ike imrld^ is a itatoral anfwer," I grant it wouiti br^ r.v-
cordf/rg i9 ihi$ eyfiavittitm ^ i very propejr anfwer from a mot^Mt or
a divine ; hut Enobarbus, I doubt, wi* fkeithef the ane nor the
other- He is drawn as a finm^ hlumi fiidier-^ not likely, howcrer,
looiend fogrofsly in point of delicacy as Sir T, Hanmer's itceim-
tion would make him. 1 believe the true leading is :
Wink^ mtd dit^
When the fhip is going to be (»ft away, in the Sfa-^m^^gi- of
Beaumont and Heicl^r, (A^ I* fc. L) and Amtota is lamenrbg,
Tibait fays to her*
.* Go, lake your gilt
** Prayer-book, and to your bufinefs ; wj^, md Se :"
infinnating plainly, that (he was afraid to meet denth with her
eye& open. And the fame initnuation, I think, Enobarbos might
Yer>' naturally convey- in his rttum to Cleopatra^ defponding
qadlion, TvawHiTT*
1 adhere to the old reading, which may be fupported by tho
following paflage in fuimt C^r/^r:
'* ■ — -^ all tli:jt he can do
** h to himfclf ; iah th$tfght, mtd dit for C^far,*'
1
I
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, 571
Clbo^ Is Antony, or we, in fault for this ?
Eso. Antony only, that would make his will
Lord of his reafon. What although * you fled
From that great face of war, whofe fevcral ranget
Frighted each other? why fhould he follow?^
The itch of his aftedion ftiould not then
Have nick'd his captainftiip ; * at fuch a point.
I
Mr. Toilet obfcrvcs, that the cxpr^fHon of tahng thought^ in oyr
aid Englifh wricers h equivalent to the Being aHxhut or /hlkifcm,
or I^yh'g a thinz much fo haru So, fays he* it is ufed in our
f ninAadon^ of the New Teftament, Matthew vi, z^^ Sec* So, in
Holinfhcd, Vol. Ill- p» 50, or anno 1140: '* i^kittg ihstgh
for the bflTe of his houfes and money, he pined away and died/*
In the nurgio thus : " The biihop of Saliftjurie ^/Wj^ of thQughJ'*
Again, in p< S3 3, Again, in StowcV Chrmkle^ anno lyoS:
'• Chriftophcr Hawb fhortened his Jife by thctight-iaking/' Again»
in p. 546, edit, 1614, Again, in Lcknd's CdU^ama^ VoL L
p. 1J4: '* — — ^ their mother died for thought" — Mr. Tymhict^
however, might have given additional fupport to the reading which
be oficrs, from a paflagc in the fecond part of King Heniy IF :
** led his pcwera to death,
** And <wifdiffg kap'd into deftruilion/* STiBFiNSg
After all chat has been written upon this paifage, I believe the
old reading is right ; but then we muft tinderftami ihiuk and d^
to tnean the fame as die &/ thtmghi^ or meLmch^ly* In this feiifo
is /W^^mfed below. Ad IV, fc. vi, and by Holinthcd, Chrmick
&/ Ireiartd^ p, 97. *' Hti father liised in the T&^Wfr^-n<»here for
thought g/ she j&fisg ma^ hii /gUie he died/* There is« paiTage
almofi exaftly fimilar in The Beggar' j Eufi of Beaumont and
Fletcher, VoL IL p- 423 :
" Can 1 not think a*way myfelf and die V TvEwHITT*
Think ^nd die : — Confidcr what mode of ending your life is moft
prefcrablej and immediately adopt it* HtKLtr*
Sec Vol. IV, p- 7f, n.6. Maloite*
* ^Iths^gh — ] The firft fy liable of this worJ was fupplied
by Sir Thomas Hanmcr, to complete the mcafcrcu Sxe e%^e si*
y ^hy Jh&uld he filliywF} Surely, for the fake of metre,
ire fhonld read — follow you ? Steevens.
* Ha^e iiickM hh ea^tttinfiip ;] i. e, fet the mark of foUy on
it, SOj in The Comedy qf Err^n ;
" i and the while
*' Hii man with fciflars with him like a fooh" STiEviKa,
J72 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA,
When half to half the wdrld oppos'd, "he licing
The mered queftion : ^ 'Twas a fliamc no lefs
Than was his lofs^ to courfe your flying flags.
And leave his navy gazing.
Clko. Pr^ythee, peace.
Enter Aktonv, with the AmbaRiidon
ANt, Is this his anfwer?
Amb* Ay, my lord.
Ant^ The quMn
Shall then have courtcfyi fo fhe will yield
Us up.
Amb^ He fays fo.
Ant* Let her know it**—
^ 1 ht ^fiffg
^Ibe mcred aufftkn ;] Th« mertd qoeftion is a tcriil I Ao not
nadaft^d, I know not what lo offer, except :
9^he moored quefiim^
That is, the iijpuui point, the fubje^ of debate. Men is ij^-
4eed a hund^rj^ and the mttred pufim, if it can mean any thing,
may, with fome violeinccof UDguage^ mean, ihcdi/fmttd htmndarf^,
So, inStanyhiirft'strdTirtationof Firj/A B* 111. lj%ti
'* Whereto joinOIye mtetriwg a cantcl of I la lye neereih,*'
Batrett in his Ahjr^rk or ^^adrgpft Bi^i&m^^ J 580, tnterprcti
a meeft-^QT\c hy Iffpb trrmitHilis. ^fim \% certainly the ifue
reading. So, mHamht^ Aftl» fc. i: '
'* -^— the king
** That was and is the ^Htftm of thefe wars*'* Ste e Ve !«s«
Poffihty ShaJ-^fpeare might have coined the word me^nd^ and
derived it from the adjcdive mirr or m^^r^ In that cafe, the mtffrd
p(rftipm might mean, the ot^Iy ca^iifc of the difpute — ihe only fubjeel
ofthcquarrcJ. M, Maiok.
MiTfd i*> I fufpc^, 4:^9r4^of ottr author's formationp from
mirt : he being the folc, ibe cntlte fubje^ or occafion of the war.
^-. . Maloni,
* Lffhttimw j/.j To complete the vetfe, wc might add-«
Let her know it //&fJi# ^tii^vejis.
' T'. A'rrrF?7
I
I
I
I
I
I
I
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. S72
To the boy Csefar fend this grizled headj
And he will fill thy wiihes to the brim
With principalities,
Cleo. That head, my lord?
Ant. To him again; Tell him, he wears thdj
rofe
Of youth upon Him ; from which, the world ftiould^
note
Something particular: his coin, fhips> legions,
May bca coward*s ; whofe minifters would prevair
Under the fervicc of a child, as foon
As i' the command of C^far : I dare him therefore
To lay his gay comparifons apart,
And anfwer me declined,* fword againft fword,
Ourfelves alone: I'll write it; follow me.
I Exeunt Antony a/id Amb.
3 — hh gay comprifons apart ^
And anfwer mr declin'd,] I requinc of Cxfar not to depend on
t\iil fuperiorily which the ccmparifim of om different fortunes maf
exhibit to him, but to anfwer me man to maD« in thib dtcimw of my
age or power. Johnson.
1 hiTe fometimc5 thought lh»x Shakfp«are wrote,
— ^his gay caparifms.
Let him " unftate his happiners/' let him divert himfelfof the
fplendid irappings of power, hU coint fiipt^ hghm^ &c. and meet
zne in Tingle combit.
Capari/m is ffcqaently ufcd hf our author and hh contempofaricf^
for «x §rftaminiai drrfs* So, in As jcu Like ii. Ad III. fc, it I
" — though I am f^/orj^Vlikc a crtan/'— *
Agiin, in The WmUr^t TaU, A&. IV. fc, ii :
•* With die and drsib I puncha^'d this c^p^rifim/*
The old reading however b fuppon^ by a pailage in Madeik*
" Till that BelJona's bridegroom^ Japped in proof, ,
" Confronted him with JfTf-campmri/mt^
" Point againil point, rebellious/'
His gijj tomparijam may mean* thofe circumftances of fplendouf
mnd power in which he, when lompertd with me, fo much excccdi
me.
Dn John ton's explanation of dedin^d ia certainly rights
TimiinG/ Athinsl
** Not one accompanying fill dedining footp"
SOf in
574 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA,
Eno. Yes, like enough, high^ battled Cmhw will
Unftate his happinefs, and be ftag'd to the ihow/
Againft a fworder. — I fee, men's judgements are
A parcel of their fortunes ; ^ and things outward
Do draw the inward quality after them^
To fuffcr all alike. That he (hould dream^
Knowing all meafures, the full Cstfar will
Anfwer his emptinefs ! — Caefar, thou haft fubdu*d
His judgement too.
Enter an Attendant.
Art, A nieflenger from Ca^fer.
CiBO. What* no more ceremony ? — See, my wo-
men ! —
Againft the blown rofe may they ftop their nolc.
That knee I'd unto the buds* — -Admit him, fir.
Again, in Tr&t/uf ax^ CrrffiJa :
-« ^ What the dwcim^J is,
*< He fhall as foou read in the eyes of others,
*■ As feci in his own fall/*
Again, in Daniers Ch^atra^ '594 *
" Before fhc had i/ir/iffiVff foftuac provW Ma lone,
, The word gaj feems rather to favour MaloDe's cooje^ure. tbif
we rtiould read capmifini. On the other hand^ the following
paffage in ihc next fj>eech* appcvs to countenance the {^icfcnt
reading :
** that he fhould dream,
" Knowing all tneAfurei, the full Carfar will
" Anfwer his cmpcinci^ 1" M, Mason *
* -.^^ ftag'd i& thefim^,} So Goff; in his Rapffg fliTil*
J 631;
" as ifhe/iifV
** The wounded Priam-^" STiEYeiri.
Be J?atd ta J^owt — that la, txhilfitid^ iih c^nfifBmg gi&diMivrs^
f& fheputikk gazt. Hi NLE Y,
A parcel ^f iheir firhinet{\ i. e. aa wc fhould &y at pre&Qr^
4re of a /her mfiih thm^ StEEVENS.
7 ' '
• ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 575
Eso. Mine honefty, and I, begin to fquare.^
[AJide.
The loyalt/i well held to fools,^ does make
Our faith mere folly : — Yet, he, that can endure
To follow with allegiance a fallen lord.
Does conquer him that did his mailer conquer^
And earns a place i* the ftory.
Enter Thyrbus.
Cleo. Caefar's will ?
^HTR. Hear it apart.
Cleo. None but friends ; ' fay boldly/
7byr. So, haply, are they friends to Antony.
Eno. He needs as many, fir, as Caefar has ;
Or needs not us. If Csefar pleafe, our mafter
Will leap to be his friend : For us, you know,
Whofe he is, we are ; and that's, Caefar's.
Tbyr. So.—
Thus then, thou moft renown'd ; Caefar entreats^
^ * >m^to fquace.] i. e. to fuarreL See A Midfmnmer Nights
DrofMu VoL V. p. 32, n. 5* Stbivi^ns.
* Tkfhjfoliyf njjeil hild to fooh, &c.] After Enobarbus has faid»
that htt bcmeiy and he begin to qaarrel* he immediately falls into
tiiit generous refledUon : *< Though loyalty, ftobbomly prefenr'd
to a mafter in his dedin'd fortunes, feems folly in the eyes of fools ;
yet hc» who can be fo obftinately loyal, will make as great a figure
on icoord, as the conqueror." I therefore read :
Though loyalty^ *weil heU tofodls^doet make
X Our faith mere folly ^ ■ Th bob a l d.
I have preferred the old reading: Enobarbus is deliberating
vpon dcfertion, and finding it is more prudent to forfake a fooH
and more rq>utable to be ^thful to him, makes no pofitive con-
cla$on« Sir T. Hanmer follows Theobald ; Dr. Warburton re*
tains the old reading. Johnson.
' None but friends {\ I fuppofc, for the fake of meafttre» wc
ought to read in this place with Sir Thomas Hanmer:
•' None /-^T^ but friends," Stbetrn^.
576 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Not to confid€r in what cafe thoy ftand'ft.
Further than he is Ciefar.^
CiEO, Goon: Right royaL
7 Cxikx enirfitift
Not t& confide m ^hat c«fr fkm Pmid'/^
Fmrihtr than he is C^fnr.] Thut mt teand Mit^i iiid OH
this rea<li[ig the fubfequcm cxplanatbn by Dr, Warbiaftom U
founded*
The firll folio, which brings obfcority with it, has
than he is Czf^r'/*
See Mr- Malone's note. Steevens.
i, c* C^far iMfrmt/f ih^t ai thtfame ifmt ymcowfidir yotrt dt^mmte
fmuHit, jm mi^id conjider ht a C^/an That is, (^ncfout and
l^ifgtving, able and willing lo reftoie ihcm, WAEitrmToir,
It has been juft fsiid^ that whatever Ant^my is» dl hit fbUotitit
are; *' thai is, C^/^r'i^^* Thy reus now informs Cteopgiti lliat
Cjefar entreats her not to conllder hetfr/jln a ^a(c nf fiilyCtimi^
further than as fhe is ctinncftcd with Antony, who b C^^*t i
intimating to her, {according to the tnilrufHotii be had reodvcd
from Cxtar, to dcuch Cleapmm from Antony, fee p* J 69 J that
ihe might make feparate and advantageous terms for herlcif*
1 fufpefl that the preceding fpcech belongs to Cleopatiit not to
Enobarbus. Printers ufualljr keep Uie names of ihep^ni tvho
appear in each fcenc, ready com pafed ; in confeqaence of which »
fpeeches are often attributed to thofe to whom they do not bdoog.
Is it probable that Enobarbm ibould prefume to interfeir here t Toe
whole dialogue namrally proceeds between Cleopatra and Thyieut ♦
tiU Enobarbus thinks it DeceCaiy to attend to hit own inie^, and
fays what he fpeak^ when he goei out. The platml wmmkm^ {m}
which fuits Cleopatra, who throughout the play afam ihliQc^p^
flyk, ftrengtheii^ my eonje^ure. The wordt, ^mt twj/iipi i| mw
be £akld, arc incon£l^ent with cbts fuppofition ; but I aMnfeiM,
Cleopaira might have thus defcribed Antony, with fu^ciefit pro*
priet)^ — 'They arc aiWwarda explained : " Whofcbeia, wr ait/*
Antony v^^s the maftcr of her fate* Malo « t.
Enobarbusi viho U the buffboa of the plaj?, has altcidy ptefumed
rSee p, 47 1 .] to interfere between the jarring Triiisavirs, and
might there^re have been equally titppant on the oecaiiun l^ofc
us.— For this reafon, m well as others, I coixcdve die fpeerh iii
quellton to have been rightly appropriated in the old copy.— l^liai
u diminution of Shakfpcaic's praifc would it be, if four 'lines thaf
exaflly fuit the mouth of EtioDarbut, could come with equal pm*
priety from the lips of Cleopatra! Stiivim.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 673
Thtr* He knows, that you embrace not* Antony
As you did love, but as you fear'd him.
Cleo/ "' 04
Tmyr* The fears upon your honour, therefore,
he
Does pity, as cowftfained blemifheSp
Not as dcferv'd,
Cleo. He is a god, and knows
What is mofl: right : Mine honour was not yielded.
But conquer'd merely.
Effo* To be furc of that, [Ajlde*
I will aflc Antony, — Sir, fir, thou'rc fo leaky.
That we muft leave thee to thy finking, for
Thy deareft quit thee,* [Exii Enobarbus,
Thtr, Shall 1 fay to Caefar
What you require of him ? for he partly begs
To be defir'd to give. It much would pleafe him.
That of his fortunes you fliould make a flaff
To lean upon: but it would warm his fpirits,
To hear from me you had left Antony,
And put yourfelf under his ftirowd,
The univerfallandlord-
CiEd* What's your name ?
Thtm* My name is Thyreus-
Cifio. Moft kind meflcnger.
/•
* tha^ jou Ciwhr^t ftDi — ] Tlie author probably wrote *^
* ih^nLrLfo ie£tkj^ &c.
Thj dcarefi quit ihe€,\ So^ in The Tem^ft -
"A ret ten carcafe of a boat
.^ '* ,, the very rats
' ' Liilirt^^ively bad ^hU ii — •' * S r E s v e H s,
Vot. XII. P p
*%
578 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA,
Say to great C^far this> In dirputation
I kifs his conquering hand : * leli him, I am prompt
^* Sffj U gn^i C^far thit^ In difpuiation,
/ ki/i bh coHqu*rmg homd:] The poet ccrtajnly wroic :
Say tQgre4tt C*e/ar ihit ; I ft deputation
/ jfi/f ^ir amq^ring hand:
i, e. by ptQxj I 1 dtputc you to pay him that doty in my nam^
1 am not certain that this change u ne^ffaiy p^ — / hji kit Immd
iff dijpHmtioH — may mean, I own he hdA ihe better in the contra-
f criy, — I confcfb my mabilky to difpmu or ^mtejtd with him. To
a/pittt may have no immediate nrfcrence to words or langua^ by
which coniroverfies are agtcaied. So, in M^tthtth^ " Di/putt it
like a man;" and Macduff, to whom ihisihort ioecch isaddrctTed^
is difptttmg or contending with himfdf only* Again, in ^m.^ fifth
Nfghf, — " For though my foul difpHta well with my fcnfc."--4f
Dr, Warbur ton's change he adopted, wc fliould read — '* 4^ depu-
tation;" STIEVi^^s,
I have no doubt but drfxinthn is the right reading- Stecvcn*
having proved, with mucii labour and ingenuity^ that it \\ but by
a forced and unnatural conftrudion that any fenfc tan be extoned
from the words as they ft»ind. It is not ucccfTary to read ifj dc|^-
lationj inftead of i>, That amendment indeed would render the
pafTage more ftriftly grammatical, but ShaVfpcanr b, frequency,
at leaft as licentious in the ufc of hjj particles, M. Mason.
I thinlc Dr, War burton's conjefhire c^ttmnely prob&blc. The
objcdion founded on the particle /« being ufed, is in my apprc-
henfion, of little weight. Though hy dcpuiation is the phrafeology
of the prefent day, the other mignt have oecn common in the time
of Shakfpeajc. Tliua a dtputj fays in the firil fccne of Krng Juim ;
*' llius, after greeting, fpeaks the king of France,
** In m>Y behaviour, to his majefty,
'^ The borrow *d majefty of England here,**
Again, in King Hettry If\ P. 1 :
•* Of aU the favourites that the abfent king
** In deputation left liehind him here/'
Again; Bacon in his Hijhty of Henry Vlh fays, " — ^if he re-
lied uiwn that title, he could be but a king at courtefic.'* — We
fhould now fay, •* ky courtefy," — So, " in any hand,'* was the
phrafe of Shakfpearc's time, for which, " m any hand,** was af-
terwards ufcd,
Suppofmg difputatim to mean, as Mr, Sicevcns conceives, not
verbal controvcrfy, but ftruggle for power, or the contention of .
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 579
To lay my crown at his feet, and there to kneel ;
Tell him, from his alUobeying breath ^ I hear
The doom of Egypt.
Thyr. . 'Tis your nobleft courfe.
Wifdom and fortune combating together.
If that the former dare but what it can.
No chance may Ihake it. Give me grace ^ to lay
My duty on your hand.
Clro. Your Caefar's father
Oft, when he hath mus'd of taking kingdoms in,^
Beftow'd his lips on that unworthy place.
As it rain*d kifles.
adverfiunesy to hy that one kifles the hand of another /« conutitim^
is furely a ftranee phrafe : bat to kift hy proxy, and to marry by
fnacf, was the languaee of Shakfpeare's time» and is the language
of this day. I have^ however^ fbond no example of in deputathtt
being ufed in the fenfe required here. Malonb.
> TtUbim, from bis all-obeying brtatb &c.] Doom is declared
rather by an alUcommanding, than an all-obeying breath. I fuppofe
we ought to read»
all'Oheycd breath. J oh n so n •
There is no need of change. In The Tivo Gentlemen of Ferona,
Shakfpeare ufes longing, a participle aBrve, with a pajjpve figni-
fication:
** To fumifh me upon my longing journey.**
!• e. my journey long'd for.
In The Unnatural Combat, by Maflinger, the adive participle is
yet more irregularly employed :
** For the recovery oi^firangling hujhand.*
i. e. one that nuas to be ftrangled. Stbbyens.
All-obeying breath \%, in Shakfpeare's language^ breath which
all obey. Obeying for obeyed. So, inexfreffinje for inexfrtffibU, de-
lighted iot delighting, 8cc. Malonb.
4 Give me grace — ] Grant me the &vour. Johnson.
s .^-.-^ taking kingdoms MM,"] See p. 550, n. 2. Rbbd.
P 2
^
63^ ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Reenter Antony and Enobarbus.
Ant. Favours, by Jove that thunders !-^
What art thou, fellow ?
Thyr. One, that but performs
The bidding of the fulled man,* and worthitfft
To have command obey'd.
jEno. You will be whipped.
Asr. Approach, there : — Ay, you kite ! — Now
gods and devils !
Authority melts from me: Of late, when I cry*d,
bo!
Like boys unto a mufs,* kings would ftart forth.
And cry. Tour will? Have you no cars? I am
Enter Attendants.
Antony yet. Take hence this Jack,^ and whip him,
Eno. 'Tis better playing with a lion's whelp.
Than with an old one dying.
Asr. Moon and ftars !
Whip him : — Were't twenty of the greateft tribu-
taries
* ^"^-^the fullcft maH,'\ The moft complete, and perieft. So,
in Othello :
" What 2Lfull fonune doth the thick-llp$ owe.'*
See Vol. IV. p. 462, n. 5. Malone.
^ Like boys unto a mufs,] i. e. a fcramble. Pope.
So ufed by Ben Jonfon in his Magnetkk Lady :
•• nor are they thrown
" To make a mx/s among the gamefome fuitors.'*
Again, in The Spanijh Gipfie^ by Middleton and Rowley, 1655 :
" To fee if thou lie'ft alcumy or no,
*' They'll throw down gold in mujfes." Stbbvbns.
'^ Take hence this Jack,] See Vol. IV. p. 407. n. 6.
Malone.
I
I
I
I
5S'
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. J^
That do acknowledge Csefar, fhould I find them
So faucy with the hand of Ihe here, (What's her
name.
Since (he waj* Cleopatra?') — Whip him, fellows.
Till, like a boy, you fee him cringe his face.
And whine aloud for mercy : Take him hence.
Thtr, Mark Antony, —
Ant. Tug him away : being whipp'd,
Bring him again : — This Jack "^ of Caefar's fhall
Bear us an errand to him. —
[Exeuni AiL wiib Thy reus.
You were half blafted ere I knew you : — Ha !
Have I my pillow left unprefs'd in Rome,
Forborne the getting of a lawful race.
And by a gem of women, to be abus'd
By one that looks on feeders ? *
I
I
» {What^s ht HamtM
Since Jht 'wat Clfoj^atm P}] That ii, fincc (ht ctakd to be
Cleopatra. — Sa when Ludovico fays,
" Where h thb rafli and moil tmfortynaie nmiir*
Othello re^es
" That's he that tvaj Othello. Here I anit" M. Mason.
9 ^Thhjad^] Old copy— r>&if Jack. Gorrcacd by Mr.
Pope. MALOKe,
* Bjt stte thai lefokt qh feeders ?] One that waits at the table while
others are eating. Johnson.
A feeder^ or an eater^ was anciently the term of reproach for i
firmans* So, in Ben Jonfon's Siknt IV^maJt : '* Bar my doorSt
Wheie are all my laurs ? My mQuihs now ? bar up ray doors, ray
varlcts," O^e "who i&oh en fftdert^ is one who throws away her
regard on feruattis^ fuch as Antony would reprcfent Thyreufi to
bCp Thus in Cymbelme:
" that bafe wretch,
■* One bred of alms, and foftcr'd with cold diihcs,
** The very fcraps o' the court-*' Sttevrns.
I incline to think Dr* Johnfon's interpreiation of this m^^
the true one. Neither of the quotations in my apprchenfion fuppoit
Mr, Stcevens's explication ot fctden as fynonymoia to ^firvma^
PP3
582 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
CtEO, Good my lord, —
Ant. You have been a boggier ever : —
But when we in our vicioufnefs grow hard,
(O mifery on't ! J the wife gods feel our eyes ; '
So fantdlick and peJantick a writer as Ben Jonfon, bailing ia one
pa0kge made one of hb chara^ers csdl his attendants, !ii& timri,
^pears to me a very flend^r ground for Aippofing fttitrj and ftt--
fuimu to be fynonymous. lo ^imm &f Atiem uus word occu/i
a^aiii :
*• — So I he gods blefs mc,
" \^Ticn all our offices have been opprefa'd
" With riotous /^^irr/,^/'
There alfo Mr, Stccvtns fuppofcs fetdtrs to tnean firv^ntK Bttt
I do not fee why •• all our offices" may not mean ali the apar^
mcnta in Timon^s houfe ; (for certainly the Steward did not me^i
to lament the exccfles of Timon's reiimf onij\ without at all noticing
that of his matter and his guefts ;) or* \^ offices can only mean ftich
parts of a dwelling* houfe as are aflign*d to fcr\*antSj 1 do not con-
ceive that, becaufc fted^n is there defcriptive of ihofc menial at-
tendants who were thus fed, the word ufed by jifelf, unaccompanied
by others that determine its meaning, as in the paiTage before us^
fhould neceflariJy fignify a firmimt.
It muft, however, be acknowledged ^ that a fubfcquent paflagc
may be urged in favour of the interpretation which Mr. Stecvcp*
has given :
" To fiattcr Casfar, would you mw^h tyer
* ' Wi'ih &Mf thai iiet kit p&iftli f ' ' Ma l o m b.
On maturer confideration, Mr. Malone will find thai Timoji^i
Steward has mi left the exceflbs of hi& raafier, and his gucfts, un^
noticed ; for though he firft adverts to the luxury of their fervaa^,
he immediately afterwards alludes to thcit own, which he confines
to the rfmmt (not ^ffius) that " bla^'d with lights, and bray*d
with minft reify/* — My definition therefore of the term— £^rr#
will ilill maintain m ground.
In further fupport of it, foe a note on M^dtth^ Vol. VIL p*
401, n. 8. where ^rcj occurs, a reading which Mr, Malone has
overlooked, and eonfequcntly left without remark,
Duncan would hardly have " fent frrih'* largefa to Macbeth**
offim^ had thcfe ^ffici§ been {a& Mr, Malone fcems willing to rcprc-
fent them) " all the apartments in the houfe." Steevins,
^c-1 This piiTagc fhould be pointed thus :
-fitU
fJfSl
► feel out eyes
•* In our own filth drop our clear judgments." Tyrwhitt,
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 583
In our own filth drop our clear judgements ; * make
us
Adore our errors ; laugh at us, while we ftrut
To our confufion.
Cleo. O, is it come to this ?
Ant. I found you as a morfel, cold upon
Dead Caefar's trencher : nay, you were a fragment
Of Cneius Pompey's ; befides what hotter hours,
Unregifter'd in vulgar fame, you have
Luxurioufly pick'd out : ^ — ^For, I am fure.
Though you can guefs what temperance ihould be.
You know not what it is.
Cleo. Wherefore is this ?
Ant. To let a fellow that will take rewards.
And fay, God quit you! be familiar with
My playfellow, your hand ; this kingly feal.
And plighter of high hearts ! — O, that I were
Upon the hill of Bafan,^ to outroar
I have adopted this pundhiation. Forn^erly,
leel our eyes
In our own filth ; &ۥ Steevens.
* In our own filth drop our char judgements \\ If I anderftand the
foregoing allufion, it is fuch as fcarce deferves illuftration^ which,
however, may be caught from a fimile in Mr. Pope's Dtmciad:
<< As what a Dutchman plumps into the lakes/' &c«
In King Henry V, Ad III. fc. V. we have already met with a
conceit of iimilar indelicacy ;
«* He*ll drop his heart into the Jink of fear." Steevens.
3 Luxurioufly pick'd out : — ] Luxurioujly means tvantonfy. So,
in King Lear :
•• To't luxury ^ pellmeU, for I lack foldiers." Steevens.
See Vol. III. p. 491. n. 7 ; and Vol. IV. p. 384. n. 2.
Malone.
* — the hill of Ba/an^l This is from Pfalm Ixviii. 1 5. *« As
the hill of Bafan, fo is God's hiU : even an high hill, as the hill
of Bafan." Steevens.
Pp4
676 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
The horned herd ! * for I have favage caufe;
And to proclaim it civilly, were like
A halter'd neck, which does the hangman thank
For being yare about him.^ — Is he whipped?
Re-enter Attendants^ with Thyreus.
I. Arr. Soundly, my lord.
Ant. Cry'd he? and begg'd he pardon ?
I. Arr. He did alk favour.
Ayr. If that thy father live, let him repent
Thou waft not made his daughter ; and be thou
forry
To follow Caefar in his triumph, fince
Thou haft been whipp'd for following him : hence-^
forth.
The white hand of a lady fever thee.
Shake thou to look on't. — Get thee back to Cefar,
Tell him thy entertainment : Look, thou fay,^
^ 7 he horned herd/] It it not without pity and indi^tion that
the reader of this great poet meets fo often with this low jeft,
ivhich is too much a favourite to be left out of either mirth or fury.
Johnson.
The idea of the homed herd was caught from PfaUn xxii. 12.
** Many oxen are come about me : fat 6mJ/s of Baian clofe me in on
every fide." St 9 bt ens.
5 For bein^ yarc about him.] i. C. ready, nimble, adroit • So, ia
a preceding fcene :
" Their ihips are jarv, yours heavy." Steevens.
^ thou fay, &c.] Thus in the old tranflation of Plutarch.
•* Whereupon Antonius caufed him to be taken and well fauouredly
whipped, and fo fent him vnto C^sfar : 4nd bad him tell him that
he made him angrie with him, bicaufe he (howed him felf prowde
and difdainfuU towards him, and now fpecially when he was eafie
to be angered, by reafon of his prefent miferie. To be (hort, if
this miflike thee, faid he, thou hafl Hipparchus one of my infran-
chifed bondmen with thee : hang him if thou wilt, or whippc him
at thy pleafurc, that we may crip qiiittaunce," Steevens.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 677
He makes me angry with him : for he feems
Proud and difdainful ; harping on what I am^
Not what he knew I was : He makes me angry ;
And at this time moft eafy *tis to do*t;
When my good ftars, that were my former guides,
Have empty left their orbs> and Ihot their fires
Into the abifm of hell. If he miflike
My fpeech, and what is done ; tell him, he has
Hipparchus, my enfranchised bondman, whom
He may at pleafure whip, or hang, or torture.
As he (hall like, to quit me : ' Urge it thou :
Hence with thy ftripes, begone. [Exif Thyreus.
Cleo. Have you done yet ?
Ant. Alack, our terrene moon
Is now eclips'd ; and it portends alone
The fall of Antony !
Cleo. I muft (lay his time.
jisT. To flatter Caefar, would you mingle eyes
With one that ties his points ? *
Cleo. Not know me yet ?
Ant. Cold-hearted toward me ?
Cleo. Ah, dear, if I be fo.
From my cold heart let heaven engender hail.
And poifon it in the fource; and the firft ftonc
Drop in my neck : as it determines,^ ^
7 to quit me ;] To repay me this infalt ; to refMi/e me.
Johnson,
• JFith pne that ties bis points f] i. c. with a menial atten-
dant. Points were laces with metal tags, with which the old tnink-
hofe were faftened • M a lo n e.
9 — tf J! jV determines,] That is, asthchailftonediffolves.
M, Mason.
So, in AT/W Henry IF. P. II :
" Tillhis friend ficknefs hath determind me."
See Vol. IX. p» 197* n.^. Steevens.
586 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA^
Diflblve my life ! The next Csfarion fmite !^
Till, by degrees, the memory of my womb.
Together with my brave Egyptians all.
By the difcandying of this pelleted ftorm,*
Lie gravelefs ; till the flies and gnats of Nile
Have buried them for prey ! ^
Ant. I am fatisfied.
Caefar fits down in Alexandria ; where
I will oppofe his fate. Our force by land
Hath nobly held ; our fever'd navy too
Have knit again, and fleet,^ threatening mod fea-
like.
9 Tbi next Cafarku /mite /] Caefkrion was Ckopatn's .iba
by Julius Caefar. Stb evens.
The folio has fmUe. This literal error will ferve to corrobonte
Dr. Farmer's conjefturc in King Htnty V. Vol. IX. p. 307. n. 3,
RSBD.
^ Bjtht difcandying of this pelleted ftorm,'] The old folios read,
difcamdermg : from which conroption bloth Dr. Thirlbv and I law,*
we muft zetrieve the word with which I have reformed th^ text.
Theobald.
Di/caudj is ufed in the next ad. Malon e.
* ■ I till tbefiies and gnats of Nile
Ha<ve buried them for prey /] We have a kindred thought in
Macbeth :
** ■ our mofiuments
*' Shall l|» the maws |of kites." Stsbvens.
4 and fleet,] Float was a modem emendation, perhaps right*
The old reading is,
and fleet, Johnson.
I have replaced the old reading. Float and feet were fynony-
mous. So, in the tragedy olEdiuardlL by Marlow, 1598 :
•* This ifle (hall fleet upon the ocean."
Again, in Tamburlaine^ 1 590 :
" Shall meet thofe Q,\iTi^'dLm fleeting with the tide.**
Again, in The Coblers Prophecy, ' 594 •
*• And envious fnakes among the fleeting fifh."
Again, in Spcnfer's Faery !^een, B. II. c. vii :
" And in frayle wood on Adrian gulfe doth fleet***
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 587.
Where haft thou been, my heart ? — Doft thou hcar^
lady?
If from the field I fhall return once more
To kifs thefe lips, I will appear in blood ;
I and my fword will earn our chronicle ; *
There is hope in it yet.
Cleo. That's my brave lord !
Ant. I will be treble-finew'd/ hearted, breath'd^
And fight malicioufly : for when mine hours
Were nice and lucky,' men did ranfom lives
Again, in Harding's Chronicle, 1 543 :
" The bodies Jieu amonge our (hippes cchc dayc."
Mr. Toilet has fince furniihed me with infiances in fupport of thisr
old reading, from Verftegan's Refiinahn of decay d Intelligence ^
Holin(hed's De/cription of Scotland, and Spenfcr's Cobn C lota's come
borne dgain. Steevbns.
The old reading (hould certainly be reftored. Fleet is the old
word for foat. See Chaucetr's Camterhmry Tales ^ ^S9^» 2399*
, 4883. Tyrwhitt,
* I and my f*word nvill CBnk out chronicle i"} land mjfnvordivill
do fuch a8s as Jball deferve to he recorded* Ma lone.
So» in a former part of this fcene Enobarbus has faid :
«* And earns a place i' the ftory.'* Stbbvens.
* I luill he trehle^{iViV9i'^y'\ So, in 75&tf Temfejl :
** — which to do,
" Trebles thee o'tx."
Antony means to fay, that he will be txAW^rted, and treble^-
hreathd, as well as treble-fine^' d, Malone.
' Were nice and lucky ^'\ Nice, for delicate, courtly, flowing in
peace. Warburton.
Nice rather feeras to be, htft fit for my furpofe, agreeable to my
rwijhn So we vulgarly fay of any thing that is done brtter than was
expedled, it is mV^. Johnson. >
Nice is trifling. So, in Romeo and Juliet, Aft V. fc, ii :
«* The letter was not nice, but full of charge."
See a note on this paflage. Ste evens.
Again, in King Richard III:
** My lord, this argues confcience in your grace,
" But the refpefts thereof are nice and trhviaU'^ Ma lone.
678 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA:
Of me for jcfts ; but now, I'll fet my teeth.
And fend to darknefs all that flop me. — Come»
Let's have one other gaudy night : ' call to me
All my fad captains, fill our bowls ; once more
Let's mock the midnight bell.
Cle 0. It is my birth-day i
I had thought, to have held it poor ; but, fince my
lord
Is Antony again, I will be Cleopatnu*
Ant. We'll yet do well.
Clbo. Call all his noble captains to my lord.
Aifr. Do fo, we'll fpeak to them ; and to-night
I'll force
The wine peep through their fears. — Come on, my
queen ;
There's fap in't yet.'' The next time I do fight,
rU make death love me ; for I will contend
Even with his peflilent fcythe.*
[Exeunt Antony, Cleopatra, and Attendants.
'^ — — gaudv night:'] This is fHll an epithet beftowed on feaft
days in the colleges of either oniverfity. St e evens.
Gawify, or Grand days in the inns of court, are fbnr in die
year, Afceniion day, Midfuromer day. All-faints day, and Can-
dlemas day. ** The etymology of the word," fays Blount in his
Dictionary, *' may be taken trom Judge Gawdy, who (as fome
affirm) was the firft inflitutor of chofe days ; or rather from gam^
diuMy becaufe (to fay truth) they are days of y^, as bringing good
cheer to the hungry ftudents. In colleges they are moft commonly
called Gaivdy, in inns of court Grand days^ and in (bme other
places they are called Collar days.** Rbeo,
Days of good cheer in fome of the foreign univerftties are called
Gaudeamus days. C.
• // Antony again, ^r.] I flircwdly fufped^ that — agaht which
fpoils the verfe, is an interpolation, on the players' old principle of
opening the fenfe, without regard to the metre. St sevens.
9 There's fap in t yet,] So, in King Lear :
•* Then there's life inV Steevens,
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 679
Eno. Now he'll out-ftarc the lightning.* To be
furious.
Is, to be frighted out of fear : and in that mood.
The dove will peck the eftridge ; and I fee ftill,
A diminution in our captain's brain
Reftores his heart : When valour preys on reafon.
It eats the fword it fights with, I will fcek
Some way to leave him. [Exit.
» — — Ti&r next time I do fights
ni make death love me ; for I *will contend
Even 'With his pefiilent fcythe.^ This idea feems to have been
caught from the 12 th book of Harrington's tranflation of The Or*
laudo Furiofot i C91 :
** Death goeth about the field, rejoicine mickle,
** To fee a fword that fo furpafs'd his fickle."
The idea, however, is not entirely modem; for in Statins,.
Tbebaid !• y* 6^^^ we find that death is armed with a weapon :
Mors fila fororum
En/e mttit. Steevbns.
3 Nvw he'll out'ftare the lightning,] Our author in many of the
Ijpeechca that he has attributed to Antony, feems to have had the
following paflage in North's tranflation of Plutarch in his thoughts :
*« He [Antony] ufed a manner of phrafe in his fpeeche, odled
Afiatick, which carried the beft ^ace at that time, and was much
like to him in his manners and life ; for // tvas full of oftentationt
foolijb hranferie^ and *vaine ambit ion J* M A L o n e .
See Dr. Johnfon's note, at the conclufion of the play.
Stebvbns.
590 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
ACT IV. SCENE I.
Caefar's Camp at Alexandria*
Enter C^sar, reading a letter; Agrippa, Mec^nas^
and Others.
Cms. He calls me boy ; and chides^ as he had
power
To beat me out of Egypt : my meflcnger
He hath whipped with rods ; dares me to perfonal
combat,
Csefar to Antony : Let the old ruffian know,
I have many other ways to die ; * mean time.
Laugh at his challenge.
Mec. Casfar muft think,*
4 I have manj other nvays to die ;] What a reply is this to AntOBj's
challenge? 'tis acknowledging that he (hould die under the uneqnid
combat j but if wc read.
He hatli many other nvays to die : mean time,
I laugh at his challenge.
In this reading wc have poignancy, and the very repartee of C».
far. Let's hear Plutarch. After this, Antony fent a challenge io
Ctefavy to fight him hand to hand, and received for anftuer, thai he
might find icveral other ways to end his life. Upton.
I think this emendation deferves to be received. It had, before
Mr. Upton's book appeared, been made by Sir T. Hanmer.
Johnson.
Mod indifputably this is the fenfe of Plutarch, and given fo in
the modern trandations ; but Shakfpeare was mifled by the am-
biguity of ihc old one : ** Antonius fent again to challenge Caefar
to fight him : Caefar anfwered, that he had many other ways to
die, than fo." Farmer.
^ Cipjar muft think,"] Read :
Cafar needs muft think, — • R i TS o n .
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 591
When one fo great begins to rage, he*s hunted
Even to falling. Give him no breath, but now
Make boot of^ his diftraftion : Never anger
Made good guard for itfelf.
C^s. Let our beft heads
Know, that to-morrow the laft of many battles
We mean to fight : — Within our files there are
Of thofe that ferv'd Mark Antony but late.
Enough to fetch him in.' See it be done ; *
And feaft the army : we have (lore to do't.
And they have earn'd the wafte. Poor Antony !
[Exeujjf.
SCENE n.
Alexandria. A Room in the Palace.
£»/fr Antony, Cleopatra, Enobarbus, Char-
MiAN, Iras, Alexas, and Others.
ANr. He will not fight with me, Domitius.
Eno. No.
Ant. Why fhould he not ?
Eno. He thinks, being twenty times of better
fortune.
This is a very probable fupplement for the fy liable here apparently
loft. So, in King Henry VIII:
" But I muft needs to the Tower." Steevens.
^ Make boot of ] Take advantage of. Johnson.
^ Enough to fetch him in.] So, in Cymbeline:
** break out, and (wear
•* He'dyZ-zrA us in.** Steevens.
• See it be done\\ Be was infcrtcd by Sir Thomas Hanmer
to complete the meafure. Steevens.
jftio' ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
He is twenty men to one.
Ast* To-morrow, foldier^
By fea and land PlI fight : or I will live.
Or bathe my dying honour in the blood
Shall make it live again. Woo*t thou fight well ?
Eno. rUftrike; and cry. Take allJ
Asr. Well faid ; come on.«^
Call forth my houfehold fervants ; let's to-night
Enter Servants.
Be bounteous at our meal. — Give me thy hand.
Thou haft been rightly honeft ; — fo haft thou ; —
And thou/ — and thou, — and thou : — you have ferv'd
me well.
And kings have been your fellows.
Cleo. What means this?
Eno. *Tis one of thofe odd tricks,' which for-
row fhoots [Afide.
Out of the mind.
Asr. And thou art honeft too.
I wiih, I could be made fo many men ;
And all of you clapp'd up together in
5 —«-. q'ake ai/,] Let the furvivor take all. No compofition^
viftory or death. Johnson.
So, in Kiftg Lear:
** unbonneted he runs,
*• And bids what will, take all.** Stebveks.
^' And thm^ And,] which is wanting in the old copy, was
fupplied by Sir Thomas Hanmer. Ste evens.
" — one of ths/e odd tricks,] I know not what obfcurity the
editors find in this paflage. Trick is here ufed in the fenie in
which it is uttered every day by every mouth, elegant and vulgar :
yet Sir T. Hanmer changes it to freaks, and Dr. Warburton^ ii^
his rage of Gallic ifm, to traits, Johnson.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 593
An Antony ; that I might do you fervice.
So good as you have done.
- Serf. The gods forbid !
Anr. Well, my good fellows, wait on me to-
night :
Scant not my cups ; and make as much of me.
As when mine empire was your fellow too.
And fufFer'd my command.
Cleo. What docs he mean?
Eno. To make his followers weep.
Aur. Tend me to-night ;
May be, it is the period of your duty :
Haply, you fhall not fee me more ; or if,
A mangled fhadow : ' perchance,* to-morrow
You'll ferve another mailer. I look on you.
As one that takes his leave. Mine honeft friends^
I turn you not away ; but, like a mafter
Married to your good fervice, (lay till death :
7 or if,
A manghd fiadonu f\ Or if you fee mc more, you will fee me
m wutmgled Jhadrw, only the external form of what I was.
Johnson.
. The thought is» as ufual, taken from Sir Thomas North's tnmf>
lation of Plutarch : ** So being at fupper, (as it is reported) he
commaunded his officers and houfehold feruauntes that waited on
bim at his bord, that they fhould fill his cuppes full^ and make
as much of him as they could : for faid he, you know not whether
you (hall doe fo much for me to morrow or not, or whether you
fliall ferue an other maifter : and it may be you (hall fee me no
more, but a dead bodie. This notwithftandmg, perceiuing that
his frends and men fell a weeping to heare him lay {o, to falue
that he had fpoken, he added this more vnto it ; that he would not
loade them to battel!, where he thought not rather fafely to retume
with vidorie, than valliantly to dye with honor." Stbevens.
* perchance^ To complete the verfe, might we not read— -
nay 9 perchance, &c ? ^ay, on this occaiion, as on many others,
would be u fed to fignify — Ao/ only fo^ hut more, Stbevens,
Vol. XII. CLq
594 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA*
Tend me to-night two hours, I afk no tnore^
And the gods yield you for*t ! »
En 0. What mean you, fir^
To give them this difcomfort ? Look, they weep;
And I, an afs, am onion-ey'd ; * for ihame^
Transform us not to women.
Ant. Ho, ho, ho ! •
9 And the mu// yield yoQ for*t /] i. e« rrwarijou. See a iKIte
on Macbeth^ Vol. VII. p. 583, n. 6 ; and another on Asjtm like it.
Vol. VI. p. 161, n. 6. Stebvbns.
» mm^^onioM-ey'di] I have ray eyes as full of tean m if thqr
had been frettcdf by onions. Joh nson*
So, in The Birth of Merlin^ 1662 :
** I fee foineuung^like a peel'd omm \
** It makes me weep again.'* Stkevbhs.
See p* 4319 n. 3. Malonb.
) Ant. Ho^ ho,' lo/] 1. e. fiof, or d(fijf, Antony defires hit
followers to ceafe weeping. So, in Chmeen Tbt kni^iei Tak,
▼. J 706. edit. 1775:
'' This dak his courfer widi his fporres fmote,
** And at a ftert he was betwix hem two,
** And pulled out a fwerd, and cried* hof
•* No more, n^ peine of lefing of your hed.'*
But Mr. Tyrwhitt in a note on yer. 2^3;, of die Canterbsf^
Tales doubts whether this interje^on was ufed except to command
a ceflation of fighting. The fucceeding quotations, nowever, will,
while they illuftrate an obfcurity in Shakfpeare, prove that h was
by no means fo confined in its meaning. Ganvm Douglm traail
lates " Helenum, farique vetat Saturnia Juno," (JEneid L. 34
*v. 380.) ** The douchter of auid Saturn Juno
" Forbiddis Helenus to fpcik it, and crys bo.**
In the Gloifary to the folio edition of this Tranflation, Edhtim
17 10, it is faid that ** Ho is an Interjedion commanding to dcfiflT
or leave off."
It occurs again in Langham$ Letter concemirtg ^een Elizaketi's
entertainment at Killingnvorth Caftle^ 1J75, I2mo. p. 61, cited in
ne Reliques of Antient Pottrj^ *• Hcer was no ho in devout drink-i
And in The Myrrour rf good maners compylediu latyn hy Domymke
Mancyn and travjlaied into englifhe hy Alexander Bercley prefix impryu^
ted by Rychard Pynfait, bl, !• no date, fol, Ambition is com*
pared to
ANTONY And CLEOPATRA. 595
Now the witch take me, if I meant it thus !
Grace grow where thofe drops fall ! ^ My hearty
friends.
You take me in too dolorous a fenfe :
I fpake to you * for your comfort : did defire you
To burn this night with torches : Know, my hearts,
I hope well of to-morrow ; and will lead you>
Where rather I'll expedl vidorious life.
Than death and honour.* Let's to fupper ; come.
And drown confideration* [Exeunt ,
SCENE IIL
The fame. Before the Palace^
Enter two Soldiers, to their guard.
1. Sold. Brother, good night : to-morrow is the
day,
2. Sold. It will determine one way: fare you
well.
Heard you of nothing flrange about the ftreets 2
!• Sold. Nothing : What news ?
«• The facke infaciabic,
«• The fackc without botome, which never can bjhe.*^
Holt Whiti.
4 Grace ^wiu lohere thofe drops fail I^ So, in King. Richard JI:
•« Here didjbe drop a tear; here, in this place,
«• I'll fet a bank of rue, four berh of grace.*' Stbbvihi#
* I /pake to you '•^^^'\ 01dcop7, redundantly:
Yot I/pake tojou"-^. Steevens.
^ '^"^ death and honour.'^ That is, an honourable death.
Uptox*
CLq2
i^6 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
2. Sold. Belike, 'tis but a rumours
Good night to you.
1. Sold. Well, fir, good night.
Enter two other Soldiers,
2. Sold. Soldiers^
Have careful watch.
2* Sold. And you : Good night, good night,
[Tbe jirjl two place them/elves at their pofts^
4. Sold. Here we : [They take their pofts^l and
if to-morrow
Our navy thrive, I have an abfolute hope
Our landmen will ftand up.
3. Sold. 'Tis a brave army.
And fiill of purpofe.
IMufick of hautboys under the ftage^
4* Sold. Peace, what noife ? ^
^ ytdujicl of httuiloyt under the ftage.] This circamftance (as I
spoiled from Mr. Warton) mi^ht have been fuejg;efled to ^akiprarc
by fome of the machineries in Mafqucs. Hounlhed, deicribmg a
very curious device or fpe^cle prelented before Queen Elizabeth,
infifb particularly on the fecret or myfterious mufick of fome £%«-
tious Nymphs, ** which, he adds, furdy had been a noble hearing,
and the more melodious for the varietie [novelty] thereof, becauib
it Ihould come fecretlie and flrangelie out of the earth" VoL UL
£ 1297. Steevens.
7 Peace t *iJohat noife f'\ So, in the old tranflation of Plutarch.
M Furthermore, the fclfe fame night within little of midni^t,
when all the citie was quiet, full of feare, and forrowe, thinking
what would be the ilTue and ende of this warre ; it is faid that fo-
dainly they heard a maruelous fweete harmonic of fundry fortes of
inKrumentes of muficke, with the crie of a multitude of people,^ as
they had bene daunciuge, and had fong as they vfe in Bacchus
feaflcs, with mouinges and turnings after the maner of the fatyies :
& it feemed that tlus daunce went through the city vnto the gate
that opened to the enemies, 8c that all the troupe that made this
noiie they heard, went out of the city at that gate. Now, fuch
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 597
1. Sold. Lift, lift!
2. Sold. Hark!
1. Sold. Muficki* theain ^
3. Sold. Under the earth.
4. Sold. It figns well/
Does'tit not?
2. Sold. No.
1 . Sold. Peace, I fay. What fhould this
mean ?
2. Sold. 'Tis the god Hercules, whom Antony
lovM,
Now leaves him,
1. Sold. Walk; let's fee if other watchmen
Do hear what we do. [They advmce to another poft^
2. Sold. How now, mafters ?
Sold. How now?
How now ? do you hear this ?
[Several /peaking together.
I. Sold. Ay; Is't not ftrangc2
3. Sold. Do you hear, mafters ? do you hear ?
J, Sold. Follow the noifc fo far as we have,
quarter ;
Let's fee how't will give off.
Sold, \fevcral fpeaking.1 Content : *Tis ftrange.
[Exeunt.
at in reafon fought the depth of the interpretacion of this wonder*
thooght that it was the god vnto whom Antonius bare fingular
deodtion to coonterfeate aad refemble lum, that did fbrfake them.*'
Stbbvbns*
• Itjtgfts well^ &c.] i. e. it bodes well, &c. Stbbvbns.
CLq3
598 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA^
SCENE IV.
The fame. A Room in the Palace.
Enter AnTqsY^ and CitoPATR A; Charmian^ 4uut
Others^ af tending,
Ant^JExos ! mine armour^ Eros !
Cleo* Sleep a little.
>f.vr. No, my chuck.''— Erosi come; mine ar-
mour, Eros !
Enter Eros, with armour.
Come, my good fellow,' put thine iron^ on :-—
If fortune be not ours to-day, it is
Bccaufe we brave her. — Come.
Cleo. Nay, 1*11 help too/
What's this for?
7 —)yf^ chuck.] i. c. chicken. See Vol. VII. p*469, ii.2.
Steeveks.
• — iny^w>i^/|&a<;,l The neceflarj pronoun pofleflive — m/^
*was introduced, in aid of metre, by Mr. Rowe. Ste evens.
9 —thine iroH ] I think it ihould be rather,
mine iron Johnson.
m/re iron is the iron which thou haft in thy hand, i. e. Antonv's
armour. So, in Khtg Hemy V. Henry fays to a foldier, ** Give
me thy glove ;'* raeanine licnry's own glovcj, which the foldier a|
that moment had in his nat. Malone.
* JVijx, P II help t9o.'\ Thefe three littte (beeches, which in die
other ^itions are only one, and given to Cteopatra, were happily
difentangled by Sir T. Hanmer. Johnson.
In the old copy the words Hand thus. C//o. Nay I'll help too,
Antony. What's this for? Ah let be, let be; &c. Sooth, la^ I'll
help : Thus it mufl be.
air Thomas Hanmer gave the words — " What's this for ?" to
Antony; but that they belong to Cleopatra appears dearly, \
7
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 599
Aii^. Ah, let be, let be ! thou art
The armourer of my heart: — Falfe, falfc; this,
this.
Cleo. Sooth, la, Pllhelp: Thus it muft be.
An^. Well, well ;
We Ihall thrive now. — Seeft thou, my good fellow ?
Go> put on thy defences.
Ekos. Briefly, fir.'
Cleo. Is not this buckled well?
Aur. Rarely, rarely :
He that unbuckles this, till we do pleafe
To dofPt ^ for our repofe, (hall hear a ftorm.—
Thou fumblefl:, Eros ; and my queen's a fquire
More tight at this, than thou:^ Despatch. — 0
love.
That thou could'fl fee my wars to-day, and kncw'ft
The royal occupation ! thou fhould'fl fee
Enter an Officer^ armed.
A workman in't. — Good morrow to thee ; wel-
come:
Thou look'ft like him that knows a warlike charge :
To bufincfs that we love, wc rife betimc.
And go to it with delight.
think, from the fubfeauent woxds^ which have been rightly attri-
boted to Antony. Wnat's tbisyvcct of your armour for ? lays the
oueen. Let it alone* replies Antony; ** fidfe, falfe; this, this.**
This is the piece that you oueht to have given me, and not that
of which you a&'d the ufe. Malone,
* Briefly, /r.] That is, quukijt fir. Johmsok.
4 To doflf*/— 1 To ^ia to do off, to put off. Sec VoL VDI,
P* 79« n. 5. Stbbtems.
s More tight at this, than thou :'\ Tight is handj, adroit. So*
in The Merry ff^ives offVind/or: — " bear you thcfe letters tightly."
la the country, a tight lais ftill fignifies a bamf;^ one* Stbbvbns*
Q.q4
6oo ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
1. Off. a thoufand> (ir.
Early though it be, have on their riveted trim,*
And at the port exped you.
[about, ^rumpeiis. flourijb.
Enter other Officers, and Soldiers.
2. Off. The morn is fair. — Gfood morrow, ge-
neral.^
All. Good morrow, general.
Ant. 'Tis well blown, lads«
This morning, like the fpirit of a youth
That means to be of note, begins betimes. —
So, fo ; come, give me that : this way ; well laid.
Tare thee well, dame, whatever becomes of me :
This is a foldier's kifs : rebukable, l^iffes her.
And worthy Ihameful check it were, to ftand
On more mechanick compliment ; I'll leave thee
Now, like a man of fteel. — You, that will fight.
Follow me clofe; I'll bring you to't. — ^Adieu.
[Exeunt h^T. Eros, Officers, and Soldiern*
Char. Pleafe you, retire to your chamber?
Cleo. Lead me.
He goes forth gallantly. That he and Ca^far might
Determine this great war in fingle fight !
Then, Antony, — But now, — Well, on. [Exeunt.
^ have on their riveted /r/Vw,] So, in King Henry V :
** The armourers accomplifhing the knights^
«' With bufy hammers doling rrueU up." Ma lone*
'^ The mom is /air, — Good morro-iu, general I'\ This fpecch, in
the old copy, is erroneoufly given to Alexas. Steevens.
* Alexas had now revolted, and therefore could not be the fpeakert
See p. 604. Malone.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. (o#
S G E N E V.
Antony's Camp near Alexandria.
trumpets found. Enter Astony and Ekosi a
Soldier meeting tbem»
Sold. The gods make this a happy day to An-*
tony ! •
Asr. 'Would, thou and thofe thy fears had once
prevail 'd
To make me fight at land !
Sold. Had*ft thou done fo^
The kings that have revolted, and the foldier
That has this morning left thee, would have ftill
Followed thy heels.
AnT, Who's gone this morning ?
Sold. Who?
One ever near thee : Call for Enobarbus^
He ihall not hear thee ; or from Casfar's camp
Say, / am none of thine.
Ant. What fay 'ft thou ?
Sold. Sir,
* Sold. The gods make this a haffy daj to AntMy /] 'Tis evident,
as Dr. Thirlby likewife conje^ured^ by what Antonv immediatehr
jeplies^ that this line fhould not be placed to £ros» biit to the foU
dier» who, before the battle of Adium, advifed Antony to try
fail &te at land. Theobald,
The fame miftake has, I think, happened in the next Miw
ipeeches addrefled to Antony, which are alfo given in the old copy
ixi Eros. I have given them to the foldier, who would naturally
reply to what Antony faid. Antony's words, •' What fayfl thou V*
compared with what follows, fticw that the fpeech beginning,
*« Who ? One ever near thee :" &c. belongs to the foldier. This
regulation wai made by Mr. Capellt Malomi*
^pa ANTONX AND Cl£OPATRA^
He is with Caefan
Eros. Sirj his chefts and treafurc
He has not with him.
jInt, la he gone?
Sold. Mod certain.
jljiT. Go, Eros, fend his treafure after; do it i
Detain no jot, I charge thee : write to him
(I will fubfcribe) gentle adieus, and greetings :
Say, that I wifh he never find more caufe
To change a mafter. — O, my fortunes have
Corrupted honeft men: — ^Eros, dcfpatch.' [Exeunt.
9 .— i. Erost dejpauh.'\ Thas the fecond folio ; exoept diat thefe
two words are here, for the fake of metre, tranfpofecC The &A
folio has—
Difpatch Enobarbas.
Dr. Johmbn woiikl lesid :
Defpatch! 7*^ Enobarbas ;
And Mr. Holt White fpppoies that << Antony, being aftonifhed at
the news of the defertion of Eaobarbns, merely repeau his rnune ia
a tone of furprize."
In my opinion, Antony was defigned onhr toeoforce theordpr bo
had alrnkly given to Efx>8« I have therefore foQowed the fecoii4
folio. Stiiyens* • •
It will be evident to anyperfon who confults the fecond folio
with attention and candour, that nuuiy of the alterations muft have
been fumifhed by fome correded copy of the firft folio, or aa
authority of equal weight, being fuch as no perfon, much Ids one
fo ignorant and capricious as the editor has been reprefented, could
have poffibly hit upon, without that fort of information. Among
thefe valuable emendations is the prefent, which afibrds a ftriking
improvement both of the fenfe and of the metre, and fhooU d
courfe be inferted in the text, thus :
Corrupted honeft men, Ent, difpatch^
The fame tranfpolition, which is a mere tlK>ugh frequent iaad*
vertence of the prefs, has happened in a (ubfequent icene :
«* Unarm t Bros ; the long days talk is done :"
Where the meafure plainly requires, as the author muft hfV0
^:riltci),*^rw, unarmt RiTSON.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 603
S C E N E VL
Cacfar's Camp before Alexandria,
yiourtflbp Enter C^sar^ with Agrippa^ Enobar*
jBus, and Others.
Cjes. Go forth, Agrippa, and begin the fight :
Our will is, Antony be took alive; *
Make it fo known.
Agr. Cxfar, I fhalL [Exit Agrippa.
Ce5. The time of univerfal peace is near :
Prove this a profperous day, the three-nook*4 world
Shall bear the olive freely^'
* Our ivill is, Antony he took aihve ;] It is obfervable with what
lodgment Shakfpeare draws the chaxader of Odavios* Antony
was his hero ; fo the other was not to (hine : yet being an hiftorical
dbara^r, there was a neceffity to draw him iike. fipt the ancient
hiftorians, his flatterers, had delivered him down fo fair, that ho
{eems ready cut and dried for a hero. Amidft thefe difficulties.
Shakfpeare has extricated himfelf with great addrefs. He has ad-
mittea all thofe great ftrokes of his charader as he found theip, and
yet has made him a very unamiable chara^r, deceitful, mean-
^>irited, narrow-minded, proud, and xevengeful. WARBV&Toir*
J the three-nook 'd world
Shall bear the olive freely,'] So, in King John :
** Now thefe her princes are come home again,
*' Come the three comers of the *world in arms,
♦' And we (hall fliock them."
So Lyly in Euphues e^nd his England, 1580 : *' The ifland is in
faihion threercomer^d,'* Sec. Ma lone.
Shall bear the olive freely J] i. e. (hall fpring up every where
Jpontaneoufly and without culture. Warburton.
Dr.Warburton miflakes the fenfe of the paflage. To hear docs
^yot mean to produce, but to cany; and the meaning is, that the
<04 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Enter a Mcffcngcr.
Mes. Antony
Is come into the field.
C£s. Go, charge Agrippa
Plant thofe that have revolted in the van.
That Antony may feem to fpend his fury
Upon himfelf. [Exeunt Cjesar and bis Train.
Eko. Alexas did revolt ; and went to Jewry^
On affairs of Antony ; there did perfuade*
Great Herod to incline himfelf to Caefar,
And leave his mailer Antony : for this pains,
Caefar hath hang'd him. Canidius, and the reft
That fell away, have entertainment, but
No honourable trufl. I have done ill ;
Of which I do accufc myfclf fo forcly^
That I will joy no more.
world fliall then enjoy the bleffingt of peace, of which olive bnuicbet
were the emblem. The foccefs of Auguftas could not fo chanee
the nature of things* as to make the oEve-trce grow without cm*
tore in all climates, but it fhut the gates of the temple of Janus.
M. Masoit*
I doubt whether Mr. M. Mafon's explication of the word hear
be juft. The poet certainly did not intend to fpcak literally ; and
might only mean, that, (hould this prove a profperous day, there
would be no occafion to labour to effedl a peace throughout the
world ; it would take place without any eSott or negotiation.
Malons*
^ ^^.^^perfuade — ] The old copy has dijfuade^ perhaps rightly.
JOHN sow*
It is undoubtedly corrupt. The words in the old tranilation of
Plutarch are : — " for where he ftiould have kept Herodes from re-i
volting from him, he ferfuaded him to tume to Csefar."
Malons^
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 605
Enter a Joldier of Caefar's*
Sold. Enobarbus, Antony
Hath after thee fent all thy treafure/ with
His bbunty overplus : The meflenger
Came on my guard ; and at thy tent is now.
Unloading of his mules.
jEivo. I give it you.
Sold. Mock me not/ Enobarbus.
I tell you true : Beft that * you fafd the bringer
Out of the hoft ; I muft attend mine office.
Or would have done't myfelf. Your emperor
Continues ftill a Jove. [Exit Soldier.
jEivo. I am alone the villain of the earth.
And feel I am fo moft.' O Antony,
Thou mine of bounty, how would'ft thou have paid
My better fervice, when my turpitude
* Haih after thee fent all thy treafure^ Ac] So, in the old tranf- *
ladon of Plutarch : '* 'Furmermorc, he dclt vejy friendly and
coorteoufly with Domitias, and aeainft Cleopatraes^mynde. For,
he being ucke of an agewe when ne went, and tooke a little boate
to go to Csefar's campe, Antonius was very fory for it, but yet he
lent after him all his caryage, trayne, and men : and the fame
Domitius^ as though he gaue him to vndcrftand that he repented
his open tyeafon, he died immediately after." Steevens.
^ Mock me «o/,] Me was fupplicd by Mr.Theobald.
Steevens.
• Beft that ] For the infertion of the pronoun — that^
to affifl the metre> I am anfwerable. Steevens.
9 And feel 1 am fo moftj] That is, and feel I am fo, more than
any one elfe thinks it. M. Mason.
Surely, this explanation cannot be right. I am alone the*villain
cf the earthy means, I zm pre-eminently thtfirft, the greateft villain
of the earth. To ft and alone, is dill ufed in that fenfe, where any
one towers above his competitors. — And feel lamfo mft, muft fig-
mfy, I feel or knvw it n^ftlf fiorc than any other ferfm can or £et
feel it. RiBO.
£o6 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRAi
Thou doft fo crown with gold ! This blows my
heart : •
If fwift thought break it not, a fwiftcr mean
Shall outftrike thought : but thought will do'r^ I
fcel.«
I fight againft thee ! — ^No : I will go feek
Some ditch, wherein to die ; the fourft beft fits
My latter part of life* [£«•//.
SCENE VIL
Field of battle between the Camps^
Alarum. Drums and Trumpets* Enter AgkiPva,
and Others.
Agr. Retire, wehaveengag'dourfelves toofar:
Csefar himfelf has work, and our oppreifion *
Exceeds what we expeded. [Exeunt.
« — - This blows my heart ;] All the latter editions Imtc :
— This bows my heart :
I hav^ given the original word again the place from which I
think it ismuftly excluded* Thisgenerojtty, (fays Enobarbos,) fwella
my heart, fo that it will quickly breaks if thought break it not, m
fwifter meoHm JoH N so N*.
'fhat to blow means to pufot fwett, the following infianoe, in
the laft fcene of this play, will fufficiently prove :
** on her bread
" There is a vent of blood, and fomething hhrnon**
Again, in King Lear:
" No 2/<7w» ambition doth our arms excite—."
Steevbns»
9 ^— —4«/ thought wi7/</oV, I fee/.] Thought, in this paflage«
as in many others, fignifies melancholy. See p. 570, n« 7.
Maloki*
> — .iwrfwropprcfiion— ] 0//r<^S9iy for oppofition.
WAKBvaToirt
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 607
Alarum. Enter Antony and Scarus, wounded.
Scar. O my brave emperor, this is fought in-
deed!
Had we done fo at firft, we had driven them home
With clouts about their headj.
Ant. Thou bleed'ft apace.
ScjR. I had a wound here that was like a T,
But now 'tis made an H.
Ant. They do retire.
ScjR. We*U beat 'em into bench-holes ; I have
yet
Room for fix fcotches more.
Enter Eros.
Eros. They are beaten, fir; and our advantage
ferves
For a fair vidtory.
Scar. Let us fcore their backs.
And fnatch *em up, as we take hares, behind;
*Tis fport to maul a runner.
Ant. I will reward thee
Once for thy fpritely comfort, and ten-fold
For thy good valour. Come thee on.
Scar. rU halt after. [Exeunt.
Sir T. Hanmer has received ofpofitm. Perhaps rightljr.
JoHNsoir.
Our opprtjjton means, the force by which we arc opprefs'd or
orerpowered. Ma lone.
So, in Romeo and Juliet :
** At thy good heart's 0//f^0«." Stbiv£ni«
6o» ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
SCENE VIII.
Under the walls of Alexandria.
Alarum. Enter Antony, marching; Scarus^ and
Forces.
Ant. We have beat him to his camp : Run one
before.
And let the queen know of our guefts.' — Ta-mor-»
row.
Before the fun (hall fee us, we'll fpill the blood
That has to-day efcap'd. I thank you all ;
For doughty-handed are you ; and have fought
Not as you ferv'd the caufe, but as it had been
Each man's like mine ; you have fhown all Yle&on.
Enter the city, clip your wives,^ your friends.
Tell them your feats ; whilft they with joyful tears
Waih the congealment from your wounds, and klls
The honoured gaflies whole. — Give me thy hand;
\^o ScARua.
Enter Cleopatra, attended.
To this great fairy* I'll commend thy adls.
Make her thanks blefs thee. — O thou day o* the
world,
^ — Run one before^
And let the queen kntyw of our gutfis.'\ Antony after his faccefi
intends to bring his officers to fup with Cleopatra^ and orders iio«
tice to be given of their guclls. Johnson.
^ clip your oy/w/,] To clip is to embrace. See VoL IBU
p. 121, n. 2 ; andVol. VJL p. 189, n. 4, Stebvens.
^ ^Q this great imy ^-'"'^^ Mr» Upton ha« well obfcrvcd, that
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, 609
Chain mine arm*d neck; leap thou, attire and all*
Through proof of harnefs ^ to my heart, and there
Ride on the pants triumphing.
CiEo. Lord of lords !
O infinite virtue! com'ft thou fmiling from
The world's great fnare uncaught ?
\
My nightingale,
beds. What, girl J
We have beat them to their
though grey
Do fomething mingle with ourbrown ; ' yet have wc
A brain that nourillics our nerves, and can
Get goal for goal of youth.* Behold this man;
fair^t which Dr. Warburton and Sir T. Hanmer explain by /«^
(iarrirrfif comprifcs the idea of power and beauty* Johksoh*
Fmrj in former times did not fignify only a diminutive imagf-
nary bcbgr but an in chanter, io which Jaft fenfej as has beea
obfcrvedj it is ufed here. But Mr, Upton *s aiTertion that it com-
prizes the idol of i/eoMiy as well as power, feems qticftionablc ; for
Sir W, D'Avenant employs the word in dcfcribing tho weird
fi Hers, (who certainly were not beautifid,) in the argument prefiKcd
to his aiccration of MatBeih, 4to» 1674; " Thcfctwo, travelling
together through a forcfl, were met by tlirec fair it witches^
(weirds the Scotch call diemj)" &c- Sec alfo Vol. VII. p. 275*
Q, 5- Maloxe*
Surely, Mr* Upton^s remark is not iodefcnfible, Beautj united
with peojutr^ wai the popular charaderiftick of Fairia generally
confidercd. Such was that of The Fairj^en of Spenfer, and
Timma in A Midjummer-Nighi* § Drtam, Sir W, Davctiant's par-
ticular ufe of any word is by no means decifive. That the language
of Shakfpeare was unfamiliar to him » his own contemptible alteiu*
tious of ii have fufhciently demonllrated, Sti evens,
* /r^/ 5/ harnefs — ] i.e. armour of proof. HentQiif Fr,
Arnffe^ Ital, SteevekI.
Sec VoL VII. p. 57 J, n. 7, Ma lone.
1 j}ith aur hr^^mn \\ Old copy— /wff|fr brown : butasthii
epithet, without improving the idea, fpoils the mcafure, I have not
fcrupled, with Sir Thomas Hanmcr and others, to omit it as an in-»
ferpolation. See p. 6z i » n* 4, Steevehi,
K • Get goal fit goal if jmtb*1 At all plays of barriers, the boi2n^
1 Vol. XII. R i
I
6io ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA*
Commend unto his lips thy favouring hand;—*
Kifs it, my warrior : — He hath fought to-day»
As if a god, in hate of mankind, had
Dcftroy'd in fuch a ihape.
Cleo. ril give thee, friend^
An armour all of gold ; it was a king's.'
Ant. He has deferv'd it, were it carbuncled
Like holy Phoebus' car. — Give me thy hand; —
Through Alexandria make a jolly march ;
Bear our hack'd targets like the men that owe
them : ^
Hs^ our great palace the capacity
To camp this hoft, we all would fup together ;
And drink caroufes to the next day's fate^
Which promifes royal periL — Trumpeters^
With brazen din blaft you the city's car ;
Make mingle with our rattling tabourines ; *
That heaven and earth may Ilrike their founds to-
gether.
Applauding our approach. [ExeuiUm
dary is called a goali to win ia goal ^ is to be a fuperiour in a conteS
ofadlivity. Johnson.
• 1/ luas a king's,'] So, in Sir T. North's tranflation of
Plutarch: " Then ca.me Antony again to the palace greatly
boafUng of this viAory, and fweetlv kifled Cleopatra; armed as
he was when he came from the fignt, recommending one of hi^
men of arms unto her, that had valiandy fought in this flurmifh.
Cleopatra, to reward his manlinefs, gave him an armour and head«
piece of clean gold." Steevens.
9 Bear our hack'd targets like the men that owe tbem:] i. tm
hack'd as much as the men to whom they belong. Wae burton.
Why not rather. Bear our hack' d targets with fpirit and exultiK
don, inch as hccoraes the brave warriors that oic« them ?*'
JoHNsoir.
^ — -./tfitfjww^/;] A tabourin was a fmaU drum. It is often
mentioned in our ancient romances. So, in The Hifiory ofHtljax
Knight rf the Swamte, bl. 1. no date: <* Trumpetes, c2etoas> /if*
^vrivx, and other minftrelfy.'' STEfVu^s,
ANTONY AND CLEOI^ATRA. «u
SCENE IX.
Csefar's Camp^.
Sentinels on their f oft. Enter Enobarbus*
!• Sold. If we lie not relieved within thig houf.
We muft return to the court of guard : ' The night
Is fliiny ; and^ they fay^ we fhall embattle
By the fecond hour i' the morn.
1. SoLiK This lall day wag
A flirewd one to us.
Eno. O, bear me witnefs, night,-—
J. Soii^. What man^ is this ?
2. Sold. Stand clofe^ and lift to him/
Eno. Be witnefs to me^ O thou ble^ed moon.
When men revolted Ihall upon record
Bear hateful memory, poor jBnobarbus did
Before thy fece repent 1 —
x« SoLD^ ^Mbarbus \
3; Sold. Peace;
Hark further.
jEnro* O fovereign miftreis (^true mekacholy^
The poifonous damp of night dU*punge upon me ;
Thitf Ufe» a very= rebel to my will.
May )xm% no longer on me : Throw my heart *
» i^m^Ae court cf g»^j} L e. the g«ard«roon^ the ^lace
vAqoe die ^uurd motenu Iac fiune cxprdfioD occurs agttn in
JfMoU. Stibtbhs.
* — — ti/i to bim.] I am anfwerable for the infettioa of the pre-
fottiqar-40. Thoa, in &'>tg HemylF. P. I : « Prithee, let her
idone, au^lift^i^me.'' STsivrnMs. .
.- $ i I II Timv mj teart'-^] The pathctick of Shakfpcarc tOQ
R r 2
6i2 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Againft the flint and hardncfs of my fault i
Which^ being dried with grief, will break to pow-
der.
And finifti all foul thoughts, O Antony^
Nobler than my revolt is infanious.
Forgive me in thine own particular;
But let the world rank me in rcgifter
A mafter-lcaver, and a fugitive ;
O Antony ! O Antony ! [dUsm
2* Sold. Let's fpeak
To him.
I, iSoiD- Let's hear him, for the things he fpcaks
May concern Caefar.
3- Sold. Let's dofo. But he fleeps.
1. Sold. Swoons rather; forfo bad a prayer as
hii
Was never yet for fleeping/
%. Sold* Go we to him*
3. Jo£4>. Awake, awake, firi fpeak to us.
2. Sold. Hear you, fir?
I. Sold. The hand of death hath raught hinit*
Hark, the drums [Drums afar ^
often ends in ihc ridiculous. Il is painful to find the gloomy
dignity of this noble fcene doftroyed by the intrufioa of s coaceii
fo &f -fctehed and u naBe^ ng» J o R ir so n ,
Shakfpeare in mnk of his conceits is kept in countenance by las
contem[x>raries. Thus Daniel^ in hk iSth Sonnet, 1594* fomc*
what indeed lefs harlhly, fays,
" Still muft I whet my young deiires abated^
" Upon the flint of fuch 3 heart rebelling/' Maloki.
* -fir flcepiif^,] Old copy— y^^/, I am refp^infibk for the
fubftimtion of the participle in the room of the fybftaativCj^^fer the
lake ofmearurc. STCfVENi*
^ Tkthatfd of deeih kaib raught him.] Rsmgbt is the anclenC ]
preterite of the verb to n^ch Sec Vol, V. p. a6i, n. 8-
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 613
Demurely * wake the fleepers. Let us bear him
To the court of guard ; he is of note : our hour
Is fully out.
3. Sold. Come on then ;
He may recover yet. [Exeunt with ibe hify.
S C EN E X. ^
Between the two Camps.
Enter Antony and ScARus^ with forces, marching.
Asr. Their preparation is to-day by fca ;
We pleafe them not by land.
Scar. For both, my lord.
Asr. I would, they'd fight i* the fire, or in the
air;
We*d^ght there too. But this it is; Our foot
Upon the hills adjoining to the city.
Shall (lay with us : order for fea is given ;
They have put forth the haven : Further on,"*
^ Afi, ibedrvms
Demurely—] Demurelj (ot {oXtmxAy. Warburton.
'^ Tbey hofvt put firth the haven: Fortheronj Thcfe wofdf,
further om, though not neceffiuy* have been inferted in the later
cditioQt, and are not in the firft. Johnson.
I thble thefe words are abfolutely necefi&iy for the fenft* As
the paflage ftands» Antony appears to fay, ** that thcY could bei(
difcover the appointment of the enemy at the haven atter they had
left it." But if we add the words fmrther mt, his fpeech will be
ooafiftent :-»<< As they have put out of the haven, let us go further
on where we may fee them better." And aceordingly in the nnf
page but one he fays,
'* —«— Where yonder pine does ftandy
«' I (hall difcover alL" M. Masom.
' Mr. Malone, inftead ^f^^Fmrther w, xaA%^lM*$ fiek ajfvt.
Stiivims.
Rr3
6r4 ANTONY AND CLECMPAtRA.
Where their appointment we may bcft diicova^
And look on their endeavour,* lExetmt^
Enter Cjesak, and bis forces^ marcbrttg.
Cms. But being charged, we will be ftill by land.
Which, as I take't, we ftiall ; ' for his beft force
The defedl of the metre in the old copy (hews that fome words
were accidentally omitted. In that copy as heie« there is a colon
at bcn^etiy which is an additional proof that fomething rnnft have
been faid by Antony, conneded with the next line, and relative
to the i^aoe where the enemy mighrbe teconnoitered. The htnem
it/elf was not fuch a place ; but rather fome hill from which the
haven and the fhips newly put forth could be viewed. What An-
tony fays upon tiis re-entry, proves decifively that he h^ not
gone to the havenj nor had any tbooglits of going thither. ** I
lee» fays he, they have not yet joined ; but rll now choofe a
more convenient ftation near yonder pine, and I fhall difcover all.'*
A preceding paflage in ACtVLL fc vL adda foch fapport to the
emendation now made, that I tnift I (hall be paidom fot giving
it a place in my text :
<' Set we our battles on yon fide of the hill^
** In eye of Cae&r's batde ; from nubicb fbft
** Wf nun the mtmher rf the Jbipt behdi^
^* And io i^rooeed acoordinglyv"
Mr. Rowe fupplied the omiflion by the words— -^«rr&r or; an4
the four fubfequent editors have adopted his emendation.
In Hamltt there is an omiflion dmilar to that which has heie
been fupplied :
** And let theo^ know both what ve mean to do,
" And what's untimely done. fSo viperous (Under]
*' Whofe wiufper o'er the world's dianieter,
" As level as the cannon to his blank," &c.
The words — ** So *v'tperoHs Jlander^* which are neceflary both tQ
thefenfe and metre, are not in the old copies. Malonb,
* Where their appointment <iur may befi difcover.
And look on their endeavour.] i. e. where wt may \}xSi'^<^X3Nt^
theiriMuo^ri, and fee their 9X0/^. WA&au&TpNf
9 But being charg'd, *we nuill be ftill by land.
Which, as I take^t, nue fiall{\ L e. an]e(8 we be charg'd we
will remain quiet at land, which quiet I fnppofe we (hall keep.
But. being charg'd Vf as a pbra(e of that tiaie« eqiiivalcnt to mJ^s n»€
be* Warburtok.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 615
Is forth to man his gallres. To the vales.
And hold our beft advantage. [Exeunt.
Reenter Antony and Scarus.
Asr. Yet they're not join'd: Where yonder
pine does (land,
I (hall difcovcr all : I'll bring thee word
Straight, how 'tis like to go. [Exit.
Scar. Swallows have built
In Cleopatra's fails their nefts : the augurers *
Say, they know not,-^they cannot tell; — look
grimly.
And dare not fpe^k their knowledge. Antony
Is valiant, and defjeded ; and, by ftarts.
** Bui ((ays Mr. Lambe in his notes on the ancient metiicid
hiftory of The Battle of FUdJou) fignifies nmtbmt;* in which fenfe
it is often ufecl in the North. ** Boots bat fpmrs.** Vu^. Again,
in Kelly's CoUedion of Scou proverbs : ** ■ ■ ■ He coold eat me
iut fait." Again : '< He gave me whitings kta bonesj' A^;ain,
in Chaucer's Per/ones Tak, Mr. Tyrwhitt's edit. " Ful oft tune I
xede, that no man tmft in his owen perfe6ion> hut he be ftronger than
Sampfon, or hoHer than David» or wiier than Solomon." But is
from the Saxon Butatr. Thos huta^n ieas ; abfaae falfo. without a
lie. Aeain» in The Fintner's Piajf in the Chefter colledion. firiu
Maf. MS. Harl. '^om* p. 29 :
** Abraham. Oh comely creature, hut I thee kiU,
*' Igrecvc my God, and that foil ill."
See alfo Ray's North Country Words i and the MS. verfion of an
ancient French Romance, entitled VHifioire du noble, preux, (Sf
vuiJlmrt Cbcualift GuiUaumi de Paltme, et dt la hellc Melkrr fa
jMP^, le^l GuiU. de Paleme fui filx du Ray 4e Cecillt Sec. in the
UlMniry of King's Colkge, Cambrid^ :
** I fayie now in the fee as mttp boute mad,
" B$Hte anker, or ore, or ani IcB^cb fayle." pi 86«
STBBVBiril,
^^ the augurers — *j The old copy ha% auguriet. This leads
OS to what feems moft likely to be' the true readiiig—Mir^^MiYrr,
whi^ word is ufed in the laft ad :
»' You arc too furc an augurer.^* Malonb.
R r 4
6i6 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
His fretted fortunes give him hope, and fear.
Of what he has, and has not,
Re-^enier AfiTOSY^
Ant. All is loft I
This foul Egyptian hath betrayed me :
My fleet hath yielded to the foe; and yonder
They caft their caps up, and caroufe together
Like friends long loft*^ — Triple-turn'd whore ! ' 'th
thou
1 -^^Triplc-tum'<i ^imrf] She was firft for Antony, ihea
W3S fuppofcd by him to have tMrmed to Cxfar^ when he fotmd hii
jndlenger ki^ng her hand ; then (he iMmed arain to Antony, und
BOW has turned lo Cxfar* Shall I mention what has dropped into
my imagination, that our author might perhapi have wriiteii
tfipli^tunpfeif DmUt-ungufd it a common terra of reproach,
which ra£e might improve la iriflt*Hngmd. But the prelcnt reading
may £lmnd« Johnson.
Cleopatra was £r(l the miftrefs of Jtilius Caefar, then of Cneios
?ompey, and afteri^^ardi of Antony. To this* I think, the epithet
^fifie-inrnd allud*^. So, in a former fcene :
** T found you as a morfel* cold upon
*' Dead Caefar's trencher; nay, you were a fragment
'* Of Cneius Pompey/*
Mr* Toilet fuppofcd that Cleopatra had been mtArcfs to Ponapey
ibt Gnat I but her lover was his cldeH fon, Cneius Pompcy.
Maloice.
She iiHl bdonged to JuHuk Csefar, then to Antony, and now, as
be fuppofes, to Auguftus* It is not likely that in r^oJIe^ing her
fymtn^, Antony fliould not have that in contemplation which
gave him moft offence^ M- Mason.
This interpretation i* fufficiently plau^ble, but there are two
obje^ons to ic. According to this account of the matfcr, hct
connexion with Cneias Pompcy is omitted, though the poet cer-
tainly was apprized of it, as appears by the pai&ge jnft^ quoted.
Zi There is no ground for fuppofing that Antony meant to inJinuatc
I
I
I
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 617
Haft fold mc to this novice; and my heart
Makes only wars on thee. — Bid them all fly ?
For when I am rcvcng'd upon my charm^
I have done all ; — Bid them all fiy, be gone.
[Exii Scar us.
O fun, thy uprife fhall I fee no more :
Fortune and Antony part here ; even here
Do we fhake hands.-^AU come to this? — The
hearts
That fpaniel'd me at heels/ to whom I gave
that Cleopatra had granted any perfonal favour ro Auguftus, thongb
he was perfuaded that ilichad ** fold him to the novicep" Ma lone,
Mr. M, Mafon's explanation is> I think, very fufficicnt ; and
Antony may wcU enough be excufed for want of clrcamftantiality
in his inventive. The fober recoUcftion of a critick fbould not be
expected from a hero who has this moment loft ihe one half of th?
world. Steevens,
4 TJ^t fpnkVd me at Mu} All thc editions read :
Th^f pannell'd me at ktits^
Sir T. Hanmer fubftitutcd ffameVd by an emendation^ wjtli
whitb II was reafonable to cxpcd that even rival commentators
would be fatlsfied j yet Dr. Warburton propofcs pantUr'd^ in a
noECj of which he is not injur'd by the fupprcmon ; and Mr. Upton
having in his firft edition propofed plaufibly enough ;
That pa^ me at betb^
in the fecond edition tetrads his alteration, and maintains panntWi
to be Ihe right ^eading^ being a metaphor uken^ he fays, from a
f&tmei of wainfcot. J oH tviON.
SptifiUtd is fo happy a conjefture, that I think we ought to
acquiefcc in Up It is of fome weight with mc that /puttki wa* often
formerly written fpanneh Hence there is only the omifTionof the
firft kitcr, which has happened clfewhere in our poet* as in the
word cheats &c. To dog them at the heels is not an uncommon
expreflion in Shakfpeare ; and in The Midfummer Ni^hi't Dream^
A^ II. fc. iip Helena fays to Demerrias :
" I am your fpankh — only give me leave,
*' Unworthy as I am, to/tf&w^^*/' Tollet.
SpasMei ^ot /paniei is yet the inaecurate pronuncbtion of fomc
perfons, above the vulgar in rank, though not in literature- Ouf
author has in like manner ufcd the fubftantive page is a verb ta
Tm$M sf Athtm t
6iS ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Their wifhes, do difcandy^ melt their fweets
On blolToming Csfar; am! this pine is bark'd^
That ovcrtopp"d them all. Betray 'd I am :
O this falfc foul of J^pt ! this grave charm/—
Whole eye beck'd forth my wars, and call'd them
home;
Whofe bofom was my crownet, my chief end,*
Like a right gipfy, hath, at faft and Toofe,
Beguird me " to the very heart of lofs/—
What, Eros, Eros !
«« —Will thefe moift trees
•• That have out-liv'd the cagle^ fage tly betls,** &c.
in Ki/rg Richard III. wc bave—
^ TkasSl zxA^tSivi&ioti dog thtemt the heels *^ Maloitb*
' —*—ii&/i grave ri«rM«] I know not by what authority, nor
for what reafon, this grave ebarm^ which the firft, the only original
copy exhibits, has been through all the modern editions changed
to this gay charm. Bv this grave charm, is meant, this ftsHimg,
ibis majejiick heautj. JoH N so N •
I bdiere #nm charm meant only deadly, or defimaive piece of
yntcbcraft. In thif fenfe the epithet ^owr is often ofed by Chapwui
In hii tranilatioa of Hmaer* So, in the t9th book :
'« but not £tf hence the fiital minoM ave
«* Of thy ^wi;^ ruin."
It feems to be employed in the fenie erf* the Latin word gr^n^k.
Stbevbns«
* ■ njjas mj crownet, my chief end,"] Dr^ Johnfon fuppoics
that crvwnet means laft fwrpofe, probably from fisiis comat opus.
Chapman, in his tranflation of toe fecond book of Homer, uics
cttrwn in the fenfe which my learned coadjutor would recommend ;
** all things have their crowae**
Again, in our author's Cjmheline :
*• My faprcme crown of grief."
Again, in Tro/Ius and CreJJida :
*« As true as Troilus (hall cro-um op the vcrfe,
** And fanAify the numbers." Steeveks.
So again, in Alls WAl that ends Well:
" All's well that ends well ; (lill thejme'i the cronvg.'' C^
^ Liie a right gipfv, hath^ at faft and loofc,
Bf'gjdil'd me &c.] There is a kind of pun in this paiTage, ariftng
from the corruption of the word A'.gyptiati into gipf)'% The old
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 619
Enter Cleopatra.
Ah, thou fpcll ! Avaunt,
Cleo. Why is my lord enrag'd againfl his love?
Ant. Vanifh ; or I fhall give thee thy deferving.
law-books term fiich perfofis as ramble about the coimtiyy and
pretend fkill in palmiftr}' and fortune-telling, JEgyptkuit, Faft and
ioofe is a term to iiguify a cheating game, of which the following
is a defcription* A leathern belt is made up into a oumber of io-
^cate folds, and placed ed^wiie upon a table. One of the folds
\t made to refemble the middle of the girdle, fo that whoever
Ihould thruil a flcewer into it would thi& he held it fiift to the
table; whereas, when he has fo done, the peribn with whom ht
plays may take hold of both ends, and draw it away» This trick
^ now known to the common people, by the name of friekwg «f
ibe keli or girdle^ and perhaps was pradiied by the Gypfies in the
jtime of s£dcfpe«re. Sia J. Hawkins,
Sir John Hawkins's fuppofition is confirmed by the lUlowing
Rpigram in an ancient coUediion called Run mid a peat Cafi^ by
Tnpmas Freeman, 1^14:
In JEgyfttm fuffenjum^ Epig 95.
" Charles the Mgyptian^ who by jugling could
^* Maia^fafi or loo/t, or whatfoere he would ;
^' Surely it ieem'd he was not his craft's mafter,
^* Striving to Ioofe what ftruggling he made fiifter :
« The hangman was more cunmne of the twiine,
'' Who knit what he could not nStoit againe*
•• You countrymen JEgjptkms make foch fots,
<< Seeming to Ioofe indiiiofaible knots ;
'< Had you been there, but to have feen the caft,
^< You would have woi^ had yoo but laid — 'tisM.**
Stebvbits,
That the JBgyptians were great idcpts in this art before Shak-
Cpeare's time, may be feen in Scot^s Di/coverie of Witchcrafts ^i^
p* 336, where tliefe practices are fulty cxphdned. Rebd,
^ to the nxry heart e/'/^^j To the utmoft lofi poffible.
JouirsoK.
- 5p* ia The Merry Wives of Whulfir:
•* HexthxbtheanofmypQrpok*^ Stibtens.
^«20 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
And blcmifh C^Czt*% triumph. Let him take thee.
And hoi ft thee up to the fhouting Plebeians :
Follow his chariot^ like the greateft fpot
Of all thy fex ; moll monftcr-likei be fliown
For poor'ft diminutives, to dolts ;^ and let
Patient Odavia plough thy vifageup
With her prepared nails.' [£a7V Cleo.] 'Tis well
thou'rt gone.
If it be well to live : But better 'twere
' mop mmjltr-like^ he JS^vm
far poor'fl diminutives, to dolt*;] [Old copy— ^ dolts;] Aa
the alldioii here is to inonilers carried about in Oiows, It is plain »
that the words, frrf^rtfi dimmmrvatt mail mt^aa for the kaft piece
of money ; we mull therefore lesd the next word :
far doits,
i c* farthings, which Ihows what be meaoi by /m?^ dtmimthmm
WAJtBtl&TOlt,
There was furely no occafion for the poet u Jhpm ^hai he memH
by psQff^ diminitti^fs* Hie cxpreffion is clear cnoughj and cer-
tainly acquires no additional force from the explanation* I rather
bdieve we (hould read :
For poor* fi dimiftutiveSt to dolts ;'
This aggravates the contempt of her fuppofcd fitoation j to Be
fhown, m tmnfletiare^ not only^r the /mafiffi pkctofmoMej^ but
to ihe mefi fimpid and *uMigar fpe^amri. T Y R w B i T x •
I have adopted this truly feniible cmendatiom Stsevens,
It appears to me much more probable that dt^ifi lliould have been
printco for d§ia, than that for (hould have been fubfliciitcd for /*.
Whichfoevcr of thefe emendations be admitted, there ts Aill a
difficulty - Though monilcrs are ftiown to the flupid and the vulgar
for foor'J} dimrruiiivest yet Cleopatra according to Antony's mp-
pofition, would certainly be exhibited to the Roman populace fstr
mihing. Nor can it be faid that he means that Jhe would be exhi-
bited gr&iii, as monfters are fhown for fmall pieces of money ;
becau^ his words are '* mOBHer-likc^'' be [/^ew] fliown for poor'ft
diminutives, &e.
The following paiTagc in Tniim and Creffida adds fome fupport
to my conjedurc ; " How this poor world is peftcr'd with luch
wa ler- ilies \ diminuiruti of nat u re T ' M a l o k e .
« WiihhfT jsrepared «ij///,J i- e* with nails which Ihe fu&icd
to grow for this purpofc, W a&b uaroK,
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 621
Thou fell 'ft into my fury, for one death
Might have prevented ntany. — Eros, ho ! —
The fliirt of Neflus is upon me: Teach me.
Ale ides, thou mine anceftor, thy rage ;
Let me lodge Lichas * on the horns o' the moon ;
And with thofe hands, that grafp'd the heavieft
club,
Subdue my worthieft felf The witch fhall die;
To the Roman boy* (he hath fold me, and I fail
Under this plot : Ihe dies for't, — Eros, ho ! [Exii^
i Lft me Isdge Lkhm &c*] Sir T. Hanmcr reads ehui :
— thy ragt
Led thee Irngt Lkhm — and
Su&duf thy fwtfr/Btefl /eif"
This readinp, haHh as it ii. Dr. Warburton has received, after
having rcjetflcd many better* The meaning ij. Let n»c do fome*
thing in my rage, becoming the fucceflbr of Hcrctilcs*
Johnson*
La me lodge Lkhat un the h&rfii e' the m<i&fft] This Image our
poet fccms to have taken from Seneca's HcrcuUs^ who faysLichai
ocing launched into the air, fprinkled the cloudii with his blood.
Sophoclc;», on the fame occafion, talks at a much fobcrer rate.
WAaaunTON*
Shakfpcarc was more probably indebted to GoldingV verfion of
(M'id*$ Memmorph&/rSf B, IX. edit, IJ7^ :
'• Behold* as Lychas trembling in a hoUow rack did lurk,
■* He ftjyed him : And as his griefc did all in fu rie work,
" He iaydj art thou fyr Lychas, he that broughceft unto mee
** Thisplagye ptefent ? Ofmy death muftlhou the woorkcrbee ?
** Hee quaak't aod (haak't and looked pale, and fearfuHy 'gan
make
^* Excufe. But as with humbled hands hce kneeling too him
{pake,
f« The furious Hercule caught him up^ and fwtndgtng hitn
about
" His head a halfe a doozen cymes or more, he flooirg htm out
*' Into th' Euboyan fea, with force furmounting any fling :
** He hardened intoo pcbic (lone sa in the ayrchc hingy' &c*
Stbevens.
4 ■ f^ Raman % — ] Old copy— the pttng Roman boy — ■,
See p. 6oq^ ^* 7» "^here a ftmilar inicrpolation has beea already
cjcfied, lot Similar icafonsp Stievek^*
$ii ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA^
SCENE XI.
Alexandria. J Room in the Palace^
EvtirChioPArKA, Charmiak^ iKAS^andMAKViAV.
Clbo. Help mc, m7 women ! 0> he is more mad
Than Telamon for hislhicld ; ^ the boar of ThelTaly
Was never fo embofs'd.'
Cbjr. To the monument ;
.There lock yourfelf^ and fend him word you arc
dead.
The foul and body rive not more in porting^
Than greatnefs going off.*
CtEO. To the monumenn*—
Mardian^ go tell him I have (lain myfelf ;
Say» that die laft I fpoke was^ Antony>
And word it, pr'ythce, piteoufly : Hence,
Maxdian; and bring me how he takes my death.-^
To the monument. [Exeunt.
4 Than Tetamw for his JhkU\\ u t. than Jjox Telgmm Cot die
armour of JchiUes, the mdH valuable part of waicfa was tbe (hield.
The boar of Theffafy was the boar killed by MeUager* Stebvsns,
s JV4U nevif fi embo(s'd.] A Imnting term : when a deer k
hard ruDj and foams at the mouthy he is uid to be mi^.
Haitmbr.
See VoL VI, p. 389. n. 2. Malone.
^ Tbe fiml aui body rive not m»re in fmiingt
Than greatmrfs goiur effj] So, in KitigHemy VIII^
*' — -^it isaiufierancej panging
w As foul and body's fevering,'* Malone.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, $23
SCENE XII.
The fame. Another Room.
Enter Antony and Eros.
yf ATr. Eros, thou yet bchold'ft me ?
Eros. Ay, noble lord,
Aisr. SofMtime, we fee aclotid that's dragoniih ; ^^
A vapour, fometime, like a bcaf, or Tion^
A towered citadel^ a pendant rock.
7 S^mftime, nut Jice a dmd. tha^t dngfti/h ; &c.] Sq» AriAo-
phanes, i\jK«ri, ¥.345: , ' ^ ^ ,
''H in»pJ^«A«f» t MtM, il ToJf^; Sir W. Rawlikson.
Perhaps Shakfpcarc received the thought from P. Holland's tranf-
ladon of Pliny's Nat. Hifi, B. II. ch. iii : " —our eicfight tef-
tifieth the (|iine> whiles in one place there appeareth the refcm*
blance of a waine or chariot* in another of a heare^ the figtireof a
bull b this part/' &c. or from Chapman's Monfimr D'OUve, 16061
«* Like to a mais of clouds that now fecm like
** An elqphant, and ftraigbt^Vays like an osjiLp
*' And then a moofe," &c« Stbbvkns.
I find the fame thought in Chapman's £»^ d^Jmiois^ i6oj :
•• ■ like empty clouds, •
*' In which our faulty apprebenfions ibrge
•• The forms of dragons. Isms, elephants^
« When they hold no proportkm."
Perhaps, however, Shakfpeajpe iMyl the fallowing pafTage in A'
Treati/e of S^Sr4s, &:c. quarto, i6of, particularly in his thoughts :
<< The Claudes fometiipes will feem to be dumfters, lions, bulls, and
wolves I painted and figured : albeit in truth the fame be nothing
but a Moxft humottr mounted in the ajte, and drawne up from the
earth, not having any figure or colour, but fuch as the ajrth able
to give unto it/^ Malone*
624 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
A forked mountain, or hint promoiitory
With trees upon'c» that nod unto the world.
And mock our eyes with air ; Thou haft fcen thcfc
figns J
They are black vefpcr's pageants/
Eros. Ay, my lord.
Jnt. That, which is now a horfe, even with z
thought.
The rack diflimns;** and makes it indiftind.
As water is in water.
Eros, It does, my lord*
Ant. My good knave, Eros,' now thy captain is
Even fuch a body : here I am Antony ;
Yet cannot hold this vifible (hape, my knave.
I made thefe wars for Egypt ; and the queen, —
Whofe heart, I thought, I had, for ftie had mine;
Which, whilft it was mine^ had anncx'd unto't
A million more, now loft, — ftie, Eros, has
Pack'd cards with Csefar, and falfe played my glory
Unto an enemy's triumph.' —
* Thfjf ore h!mk vtfper's p&geantu^ The beauty both of the t%*
preflion and the a]luf»on is loft, unlcfs wc rccoUc^ the frcqucncf
and the nature of thefe Chows in Shakfpcarc's a^* T. Waetoh,
9 The rack dijlimm ;] i* c^ The fleeung away of the cloDils dc«
Jl roys the pi^u re. S t e e v e w s,
» My good knave, £ti9/,] Kna^e is fcrrant. So* in J Mefj Gejh
&/ Rebjn Hif&drt bl. I, no date :
" I fhall thee lendc lyttlc John tny minj
*l For he (hall be thy iff^v^."
Agaiti^ iti the old metrical romance of Syr Degare^ bL I, no dite :
** He fent the chylde to her full rathe,
* * With much money by h is ^Move, *' Steevens-
' Pack*d cards avii^ C^/sr^ md falfc pJay'd my glory
Uhi^ m tntm/i iriBmph,] Shakfpeare has here, as ufuaT, taken
his metaphor from a low tri\?ial fubjed; but has enobled it with
siuch art, by fo contriving that the principal term in the fub}c^
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRft. ^25
Kay, weep noC, gende Eros ; there is left us
Ourfelves to end ourfelYe8.---03 thy vile lady !
Enter Mardian.
She has robb'd me of my fword.
Mar. No, Antony 5
My miftrefs lov'd thee, and her fortunes mingled
With thine entirely.
firom when<!e the metaphor was taken, (hoald belong to, and fait
the dignity 6f the fabjedl to which the metaphor is transferred:
thereby providing at once for the integrity ol the figure, and the
noblends of the thought. And this by the word triumfb, which
dther fignifies Odavius's conqueft, or what we now call, contra^*
cdly, tM trmmf at cards, then called the triunkpb or the trinmpbing
Jkrth Warburton.
This explanation is very juft ; the thodght did not deferve (b
(Qod an annotation. Johnson*
This ufeof the Vf0x6, triumph comes to us from the Ftendi, who
at this day call the trump at cards, le trhmpbe. St e evens.
' Xt is evident that Ben Jonfon did not cotifider the word trump
as derived from triumph ^ but from the French tromper^ to dcMvc,
as appears from the following paflage in his New Inn :
** Yet all, fir, are not fons of the white hen ;
" Nor can we, as the fongfter fays, come all
^ '' To be wrapt foft and warm in Fortune's fmock.
*< When (he is pleas'd to trick, or tromp mankind,
** Some may be coats, as in the cards; but then
** Some muft be knaves, fome varlets, bawds, and others
" As aces, duces, cards often, to face it
*< Out in the game, which all the world is/' M. Mason.
I believe Dr. Warburton here, as in manv other places, (aw
more than his author meant. Shakfpeare, I think, only intended
to fay, that Cleopatra by collufionplay'd the great game they were
engaged in falfely, fo as to Jacrifice Antony s fame to that of his ene^
my. — The playing falfe to the adverfary's trump card {9^ Dr. War-
burton explains tfir words,) conveys no diftinft id^. The plain
fcnfc of the paffage will appear from the following dialogue in
J^lorio's Second Fruies, 1591 ^ " S. What a fliouffling do you keepc
ivith thofe cardes ? — A. i plate fair playe, and (hooffcl them as I
ought. S. Mcthinks you packe, and fet them." Malone.
Vol. XII. S s
626 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Avt. Hence, faucy eunuch ; peslcc %
She hath betray'd me, and (hall die the death.
Mar. Death of one perfon can be paid but once ;
And that (he has difcharg'd : What thou would'ft
do.
Is done unto thy hand ; the laft (he fpakc
Was, Antony ! moft noble Antony !
Then in the midft a tearing groan did break
The name of Antony ; it was divided
Between her heart and lips : (he rendered life^
Thy name fo buried in her.
A^r. Dead then ?
Mar. Dead.
Aur. Eros, unarm ; ' the long day^s talk is don^
And we muft deep : — That thou depart'ft hence
fafe.
Does pay thy labour richly j Go. — 0(F, pluck off ;—
\Exit Mardian.
The feven-fold (hield of Ajax cannot kecp^
The battery from my heart.* O, cleave, my fides !
Heart, once be ftrongcr than thy continent,*
Crack thy frail cafe ! — Apace, Eros, apace. —
No more a foldier : — Bruifed pieces, go ;
You have been nobly borne. — From me a while.— -
{Exit Eros.
^ Ef9$t unarm \\ Old copy, in defiance of metre— Unarm. Eros.
Stbbvsns.
4 The feven-fold (hield of Ajax cannot keep &c.] This thooght
might have been taken from the EpifUe prefixed to Wit*s Comm^n^
wealthy '598: " "^'hiclintylhtT 2ifeaveH'foid Jhielde, nor Pkllia*
^gis can avoy de, " Stsbvenc
5 The hattfry from my heart J\ I would read :
Th is battery from my heart, J o H N S o N •
* — thy conttnent^ i. e, the thing that contains thee. So, xq
hamlet : ** You (hall find in him the continent of what part a gen«
tleman would fee." Stbbvins.
7
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 627
1 will overtake thee, Cleopatra, and
Weep for my pardon. So it muft be, for now
All length is torture : ' — Since the torch is out.
Lie down, and ftray no further : Now all labour
Marrs what it does ; yea, very force entangles
Itfelf with ftrength : Seal then, and all is done.® —
Eros ! — I come, my queen : — Eros ! — Stay for me :
Where fouls do couch on flowers, we'll hand in
hand.
And with our foritely port make the ghofls gaze :
Dido and her -^neas mall want troops,^
And all the haunt be ours. — Come, Eros, Eros !
? All length // torture ;] I flrongly furped xhsX/vD&cadQf Ungtb,
oax author wrote— -Z^. Stebvbns.
> Seal then 9 and all is datie,] MeUphor taken from civil
€ontrai6b« where« when all is agreed on, the fealing compleats the
contra^ ; (o he hath determined to die, and nothing remained but
to give the ftroke. Warburton •
I believe the reading is :
feel then, and all is dottet"^'^
Tojeel hawks, is to clofe their eyes. The meaning will be :
Cflofe thine eyes fir ever, and be quiet. Johnson.
In a former fcene we have :
" The wife gods y^// our eyes
•* In our own filth." Malonb.
The old reading is the true one. Thus, in King Henry V:
•» And fo, efpous'd to death, with blood ht/eal'd
«« A teftament of noble-ending love." Stbbvbns.
9 Dido and her Mneas Jball nvant troops, 1 Dr. Warburton has
juftly obferved that the poet feems not to have known that Dido
and jSxitaA were not likely to be found thus lovingly ajpxiated,
** where fouls do couch on flowers." He undoubtedly had read
Phaer's tranflation of Virgil, but probably had forgot the celebrated
defcription in the fixth book :
Talibus .£neas ardentem et torva tuentem
Lenibat didis animum, lacrimafque ciebat.
lUa folo fixos oculos aver/a t^nebat :—
Tandem proripuit fefe, atque inimica refugit
In nemus umbriferum.— Malone.
Dr. Warburton has alfo obferved that Shakfpearc moil probably
S S 2
628 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Re-enter Eros.
Eros. What would my lord ?
Ant. Since Cleopatra died^
I have liv'd in fuch difhonour, that the gods
Deteft my bafenefs. I, that with my fword
Quartered the world, and o'er green Neptune's back
with fhips made cities, condemn my lei f, to lack
The courage of a woman ; lefs noble mind
Than (he,' which, by her death, our Csefar tells.
wrote — Skkeus. At leaft» I believe^ he intended to have written
fo» on the ftrength of the paflage immediately fidlowii^ the liines
ilreadj quoted :
conjux ubi priftinos iili
Refpondet curls, acquatque Sicb^nu amorem.
Thus rendered by Phacr, edit. 15 eg :
*• where ioynt with ner, her huflband oM,
*' Sjcbeus doth complayne, and eqoali loue with her iait
holde,"
But JEntas bein^ the more iamiliar name of the two, our aothor
inadvertently fubflituted the one for the other, Stbbvb ms.
9 comdenm my/elf^ to lack
The courage of a nvoma/t ; lefs uoile mind
TJban Jhei\ Antony is here made to fay, that he is deftitute of
even the courage of a woman ; that he is deftitute of a hfi nMt mind
than Cleopatra. But he means to aflert the very contrary; — that
he mud acknowledge he has a le(s noble mind than (he. I therefore
formerly fuppofed that Shakfpeare might have written :
condemn myfelt to lack
The courage of a woman ; lefs nM/t^miniei
Than (he, &c.
But a more intimate acauaintance with his writing has ihewn
me that he had fome peculiar inaccuracies, which it is very idle to
endeavour to amend. For thefe the poet, not his editor, muft
anfwer. — We have the fame inaccurate phrafeology in The fFiuter's
Tale:
** 1 ne'er heard yet,
" That any of thefe bolder vices tvanted
** Left impudence to gainfay what they did,
" Than to perform it firft."
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 629
lam conqueror of my/elf . Thou art fworn, Eros,
That, when the exigent fhould come, (which now
Is come, indeed,) when I Ihould fee behind me
The inevitable profecution of
Difgrace and horror, that, on my command.
Thou then would'ft kill me: do't; the time i%
come:
Thou ftrik'ft not me, 'tis Caefar thou dcfc^fft.
Put colour in thy cheek.
Again, in Macbeth :
" Who cannot *want the thought, how monfteroii5
''It was for Malcolm zxA for Donalbain
*• To kill their gracious father ?"
Again^ in King Lear, Aft II. fc. iv.
'* 1 have hope,
" You left know now to value her defert,
" Than (he to fcant her duty."
Sec Vol. VII. p. 31, n.4; p. 84, n. 5; and p. 494, n. j.
The paiTage in North's tranflation of Plutarch which Shakfjpearc
\a& here copied, (hows that, however inaccurate, the text is no^
corrupt : '< When he had fayd thefe words, he went into a chamber,
and unarmed himfelfe, and beinj; naked fay'd thus : O Cleopatra,
it grieveth me not that I have lou thy companie, for I will not be
long from thee ; but I am forrie that having bnn fo great a cap-
Caine and emperour, I am indeede condemned to be judged of lejje
eorage and noble M i N o K than a woman."— <Inftead of ** to be jivigcd
of lefs," which applies equallv well to courage, SLndtomiad, Snak-
fpeare fubftituted the word lack, which is applicable to coutm,
but cannot without a folecifm be connefted witn ** lefs noble xs&oiL'*
Maloni*
" Condemn myfelf to lack," &c. however licentioufly, may havo
been employed to fignify— -condemn myfelf /or lading even the
courage of a woman.
To mind, in this inftance, may be a verb, fignifying to incline^ or
he di/po/ed. So, in Spenlcr's State of Ireland: *J Whtn one of them
mindetb to go into rebellion, he will convey away all his lonUhipt"
&c. There may ftill, however, remain a flight cprrnptioii«-vtz«
noble inflead oi nobly. I would therefore fead—
-s — condemn myfelf to lack
The courage of a woman ^ lefs nobl;^ nunci
Than (he, &c.
|. tf am lefs noblj inclined than fbe is. STE£VEN|t
S s 3
630 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Eros. The gods withhold mcl
Shall I do that, which all the Parthian darts.
Though enemy, loft aim, and could not?
Ant. Eros,
Would'ft thou be window *d in great Rome, and fee
Thy matter thus with pleach*d arms,* bending down
His corrigible neck,' his face fubdued
To penetrative Ihame ; whilft the wheel'd feat
Of fortunate Csefar, drawn before him, branded
His bafenefs that enfued ? ♦
Eros. I would not fee't.
Awr. Come then; for with a woundlmuftb?
cur'd.
Draw that thy honeft fword, which thou haft worn
Moft ufeful for thy country.
Em OS. O, fir, pardon me.
Airr. When I did inake thee free,* fwor'ft thoq
not then
^ ''^^pkacVdarms^ Arms folded in each other. JoHMsoir.
A pailage very like this occurs in Thomas Kyd's tranflation of
Robert Gamier's Conulia^ publiihed in i C94 :
** Now ihalt thou march (thy hands nft bound behind thee,)
** Thy head hung down» thy cheeks with tears befprent,
" Before the viftor ; wlule xHxy rebel fon
«* With crowned front triumphing follows thee.*'
Stbbvens.
3 ////corrigible neck,'] Corrifible for correded, and afterwards
fenetraii've iox penetrating. So Vircil has " penetrahile frigus" for
** penetrans frigus," in his GeorgicKs. Steevens.
4 His bafenefs that enfued f] The poor conquered wretch that
followed. Johnson.
5 When I did male thee free, &c.] So, in the old tranflation of
Plutarch : ** Now he had a man of his called Eros, whom he loucd
and trufled much, and whom he had long before caufed to fweare
vnto him, that he fhould kill him when ne did commaunde him :
and then he willed him to keepe his promife. His roan drawing
his fworde, lift it vp as though he had ment to haue ftrikcn hu
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 631
To do this when I bade thee ? Do it at once ;
Or thy precedent fervices are all
But accidents unpurposed. Draw^ and come.
Eros. Turn from me then that noble counte-
nance.
Wherein the worfhip of the whole world * lies.
jInt. Lo thee. [^turning from him
Eros. My fword is drawn.
ANr. Then let it do at once
The thing why thou haft drawn it.
Eros. My dear mafter.
My captain, and my emperor! let me fay.
Before I ftrike this bloody ftroke, farewell.
Ant. *Tis faid, man ; — and farewell.
Eros. Farewell, great chief. Shall I ftrike now?
Ant. Now, Eros.
naifter : but turning his head at one fide, he dimft his fword into
him felfe^ and fell downe dead at his maifter's fbote. Then faid
Antonius^ O noble Eros, I thanke thee for this, and it is valiantly
done of thee, to (how me what I fhould do to my felfe, which
thou couldeft not doe for me. Therewithal! he tooke his fword,
and thruft it into his bellie, and fo fell downe vpon a little bed.
The wounde he had, killed him not prefently, for the blood ftinted
a little when he was layed : and wnen he came fomwhat to him
felfe againe, he praied them that were aboat him to difpatch him.
Bat they all fled out of the chamber, and left him crying out and
tormenting him felfe : vntil at lafl there came a fecreurie vnto
him called Diomedes, who was commaunded to bring him into
the tombe or monument where Cleopatra was. When he heard
that (he was aliue, he rerie earnefllie prayed his men to carie his
bodie thither, and fo he was caned in ms men's armes into the
entry of the monument/' Stebvbns.
* — — /Af worihip of the 'whole nvorld-^] The *wor/bip^ is the
digftity» thx^ authority. JoHNSON*
So, in King John, :
" By giving it the woi^/^ of revenge/* Steevbns.
S s 4
632 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Eros. Why, there then: — [falls on bis /word."]
Thus I do efcape the forrow
Of Antony's death. \^dies.
Ant. Thrice nobler than myfelf !
Thou tpacheft me, O valiant Eros, what
I ihould, and thou could'ft not. My cjueen and
Eros
Have, by their brave inftrudtion, got upon me
A noblenefs in record : But I will be
A bridegroom in my death,^ and run into't
As to a lover's bed. Come then ; and, Eros,
Thy mafter dies thy fcholar ; to do thus
[Falling on bis /word.
Ilearn'dofthee. How! not vet dead?' not dead?—
The guard ! — ho ! • — O, de4>atch me.
^ But I 'Will he
A bridegroom in mj death, &c.] This thought has occorred be*
fore in Meafure for Meajure :
*' I will encounter darknefi as a bride,
** And hue it in my arms."
Diyden's Don Sebaftian has the fame image, though more lux*
uriantly expiefled :
" The fprightly bridegroom on his wedding night
** More gl^y enters not the lifts of love :
*• Why, 'tis enjoyment to be fummon'd thus."
Steevens,
Stowe, defcribing the execution of Sir Charles Davers, one of
the carl of EfTcx's aSbciates, fays, that " having put oflF his gown
and doublet in a moft cheerful manner, rather like a bridegroom tbam
a prifoner appointed for deaths he prayed very devoutly.*'
Malone*
' not yet deadf^ Tet, which is wanting in the old copy,
was fupplied by Mr. Pope. St e e v e n s.
« The guard /-^ql] [Old copy — ^guard how.] I fufpeft the poc|
wrote :
The guards ho / O, difpatch me !
Soy afterwards:
" What, ho/ the emperor's guard P*
Ifk the laft fcene of the third a^« he has faid.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA- 635
Enter Dercetas and Guard.
1. Guard. What's the noife?
Ai^r. I have done my work ill, friends ; O, make
an end
Of what I have begun.
2. Guard. The ftar is fallen.
I. Guard. And time is at his period.
All^ Alas, and woe !
Ant. Let him that loves me, ftrike me dead.
1. Guard. * Not L
2. Guard. Nor L
3. Guard. Nor any one. [Exeunt Guard.
Der. Thy death and fortunes bid thy followers
fly.
This fword but ihown to Cacfar, with this tidings^
.Shall enter me with him.
f^ Authority pielts from me;. Of hit, when I cried bo^
<* Like boys unto a innfs^ kings would ftart forth,
•• And crv, your nuiltr*
The fame miftake has happened in The Mtrchant of Venice. See
Vol. V. p. 532, n. 3. ,
And twice in the original copy of Hamlei, 1604 :
•« ^en. Help, ifow/
'* Pot. What hoiAf, hplp,"
Again^ in the laft aA :
ff O villainy ! Awi;, let the door be lock'd."
The emendation which I have propofed, ought therefore cer«
tainly to be admitted into the text. Malone.
I find this emendation already admitted into the text of edition
1785. StEEV£NS»
634 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA,
Enter Diomedes.
Dio. Whereas Antony ?
Der. There, Diomed, there. ^
Dio. Lives he?
Wilt thou not anfwer, man ? [Exit Dercetas.
Ant. Art thou there, Diomed ? Draw thy fword^
and give me
Sufficing ftrokes for death.
Dio. Moft abfolute lord.
My miftrefs Cleopatra fent me to thee.
Aifr. When did flie fend thee ?
Dio. Now, my lord.
Ant* Where is flic ?
Dio. Lock*d in her monument. She had a pro-
phefying fear'
Of what hath come to pafs : for when Ihe faw
(Which never Ihall be foundj you did fufpeft
She had difpos'd with Caefar/ and that your rage
Would not be purg'd, flic fent you word flic was
dead;
But, fearing fincc how it might work, hath fent
Me to proclaim the truth ; and I am come,
I dread, too late. /
ANr. Too late, good Diomed : — Call my guards
I pr'ythee.
Dio. What, ho! the emperor's guard! The
guard, what, ho !
Come, your lord calls.
9 — fl prophefyingy^-flr ] I fuppofe our author dcfigncd
we (hould read :
«• a proph^/*/ fear— ." Steevens.
* She had difpos'd mjith dejar^ To difpofe^ in this in(lance«
perhaps figoifies ta make terms, to fettle matters. Steevens.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 63s
Enter fome of the Guard.
Aar. Bear me, good friends, where Cleopatra
bides ;
*Tis the laft fervice that I fhall command you.
I. GujRD* Woe are we,' lir, you may not live
to wear
All your true followers out.
All. Moft heavy day !
Ant. Nay, good my fellows, do not pleafe iharp
fate
To grace it with your forrows : bid that welcome
Which comes to punifh us, and we puniih it
Seeming to bear it lightly. Take me up :
I have led you oft ; carry me now, good friends.
And have my thanks for all.
[Exeunt, bearing Avtouy^
SCENE XIIL
The fame, A Monument*
Enter above, Cleopatra, Charmiak, and Iras.
Cleo. O Charmian, I will never go from hence.
Char. Be comforted, dear madam.
Cleo. No, I will not :
All ftrange and terrible events arc welcome.
^ Woe are wf,] Old copy — Woe, nvoe^^^. But as the fecond
^woe appears (for it fpoils tne verfe) to have been accidentally ie«
peated by the compofitor, I have ]jeft it out. Stbivbhs.
636 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA;
But comforts we defpifc ; our fize of forrow.
Proportioned to our caufe^ muft be as great
Enter Diomeoes.
As that which makes it. — How now ? is he dead ?
Dio. His death's upon him, but not dead.^
Look out o* the other fide your monument.
His guard have brought him thither.
Enter Antony, borne by the Guard.
Cleo. O thou fun.
Burn the great fphcre thou mov*ft in !— darkling*
Sand
The varying fhore o'the world ! ' — O Antony I
9 His death's upon him^ hut not dfad."] The defedtive meafare,
and want of refped in the fpeaker, induce me to fuppofe, that this
line originally flood thus :
His death's upon him, madam^ but not dead. Steevems.
» darkling — J i. e. without light. So, in Tic Two angsy
Women of Abington^ i^qgi
« — my mother hath a torch, your wife
** Goes darkling up and down." Steevens.
3 O thou/«w.
Burn the great Jphere thou m(rv^fl in ! — darkling ftand
The \2Lrym2Jhore 0* the iwrld/] Thou is wanting in th« old
copy, and was fupplied by Mr. Pope, whofe reading may be juC
tificd on the authority of a fimilar paflage in Timon of Athens :
" Thou fun, that comfort'ft, bum!" Steevens.
She defires the fun to bum his own orb, the vehicle of light,
and then the earth will be dark. Joh nson.
The fvarying Jhore 0* the ivorld! i.e. of ih^ earth, where light
and darknefs make an inceffant ^variation. Warburton.
According to the philofophy which prevailed from the age of
Ariftotle to that of Shakfpeare, and long fince, the fun was a
planet, and was whirled round the earth by the motion of a folid
fphere in which it was fixed. — If the fun therefore was to fet fire
to the fphere, fo as to C9n{ume it, the confequence mull be, tl\at
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 637
Antony, Antony ! — Charmian, help ; ♦ help, Iras ;
Help, friends below ; let's draw him hither.
Asr. Peace :
Not Caefar's valour hath overthrown Antony,
But Antony's hath triumphed on itfelf.
Cleo. So it fhould be, that none but Antony
Should conquer Antony ; but woe 'tis fo !
Ant. I am dying, Egypt, dying ;« only
I here importune death * a while, until
Of many thoufand kifles the poor laft
I lay upon thy lips. —
Cleo. I dare not, dear,
(Dear my lord, pardon,) I dare npt.
Left I be taken : ' not the imperious Ihow
itfelf, for want of fupport, muft drop through, and wander in
endlefs fpace ; and in this cafe the earth would be involved in endlefs
pight. Heath.
4 Charmian^ help ; Ac] Old copy —
•« The varring (horc o' th' world, O Antony, Antony,
Antony
*• Helpe Charmian, helpe Iras helpe : helpe friends
*• Below, let's draw him hither."
For the fake of fomewhat like metre, one word has been omitted
and others tranfpofed* St e b v b n s,
5 Ezyptt dying;] Perhaps this line was originally com-
pleted by a further repetition of the participle ; and ftrnxi thus :
/ am dying y Egypt ^ dying , dying ; only Sec* Stebvbns.
* I here imp6rtune death &c.] I folidt death to delay; or, I
inuble death by keeping him in waiting. Johnson.
^ Cleo. / dare not, dear^
(Dear my lord 9 pardon y) I dare not.
Left I be taken :] Antony is fuppofed to be at the foot of the
jnonument, and tdls Cleopatra that he there importunes death, till
he can lay his laft kifs upon her lips, which was intimating to
her his defire that (he (hould come to him for that purpofe. She
confiders it in that light, and tells him that flie dares not.
M. Mason,
Antony has juft faid that he only folicits death to delay his end,
till he has given her a farewell kifs. To this (he replies that >^
dans n9t\ and^ in our authour's licentious di^on^ ihc may mean^
638 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Of the full-fortun'd Caefar » ever Ihall
Be brooch'd with me;^ if knife, drugs, ferpents^
have
Aat (he> now above in the monuxnenty does not dare to defoend
that he may take leave of her. But« from the defedl of the metre
inthefecondlinej Ithinkitmore probable that a word was omitted
by the compofitor, and that the poet wrote :
I dare not, dear,
(Dear my lord, pardonj) I dare not defcenit
Left I be taken.
Mr. Theobald amends the paflage differently, by adding to the
end of Antony's fpeech— Co/n^ down. M a l o n e •
Theobald's infertion feems mifplaced, and (hocild be made at the
end of the next line but one. I would therefore read :
/ Un upm thy lift.
Cleo. I dare not f dtar^
(Dear mj lord, pardon,) I dare not come down. Rl Tso K.
» Cy/irfull-fbrtunMC-^tfr— 1 So, in Othello:
<* What a full'fortnne doth die thick-lips owe ?**
Maloks.
9 Be bfooch'd iJoHh me ;] Be hroocb'd, i. e. adonCd. A hrtecb
was an ornament formerly worn in the hat. So» in Ben Jonfon's
Poetajfer, *' Honour's a £ood hrooch to wear in a man's hat at all
times." Ag2xn, in Ins Staple 0/ Nenvi :
«* TTic very Brooch o' the bench, gem of the city.**
Again, in The Magnetick Ladj :
•« The brooch to any true ftatc cap in Europe."
The Rev. Mr. Lambe obferves in his notes on the ancient metrical
Htftory ofFkddon Field, that brooches in the North are buckles fct
with ftones, fuch as thofe with which fhirt-bofoms and handker*
chiefs are clafped. St eb v e ns.
— be brooch* d with me.
Brooch is properly a bodkin, or fome fuch inftrument (originally a
fpit) and ladies' bodkins being headed with gems, it fometimes
Hands for an ornamental trinket or jewel in general, in which fenfe
it is perhaps nfed at piefent ; or as probably in its original one, for
pinned up, as we now fay pin up the bajket ; brooch* d 'with me, u e.
pinned up, compleated with having me to adorn his triumph.
Pbi^cy.
A brooch is always an ornament ; whether a buckle or pin for
the breaft, hat, or hair, or whatever other fhape it may aifume.
A broach is a fpit : the fpires of churches are likewifc fo called in
the northern counties, as Damton broach. Brooch* d, in the text.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 639
Edge, fting, or operation,* I am fafe :
Your wife Odavia, with her modeft eyes.
And ftill conclufion,^ Ihall acquire no honour
Demuring upon me. — But come, come, Antony,-—
Help me, my women, — we muft draw thee up ;—
Aflift, good friends.
Ant. O, quick, or I am gone.
Cleo. Here's fport, indeed!* — How heavy
weighs my lord !
Our ftrength is all gone into heavinefs,*
certainty means adorn'd, as It has been properly explained by Mr.
Steevens. Ritson.
* if knife 9 drugs , ferpenis^ bofve
^4i^» ft^^K* ^ operation y\ Here is the fame irregular nofition
of the words, that Mr. Warner wodd avoid or amend in Hamha
And yet Shakfpeare feems to have attended to this matter in the
very play before us, Adt III. fc. ii. Tollbt.
This thought occurs in Slueen ElixabetFs Entertainment in Suffolke
mnd Noffolke^ by Churchyard, no date, 4to. where Beautie fays,
** If he do dye, by mightie Jove I fweare
«« I will not live, if fnuord or knife be found** &€•
Again, in Pericles Prince of Tyre :
•« If fires be hot, knives (harp, or waters deep,
*• Unty*d I ftill my virgin knot will keep." Stb evens.
' ^iU conclu/son,'] Sedate determination; filent coolne(s of
fefolution. Johnson.
4 Hen's ffort, indeed/] I fuppofe the meaning of Aefe ftrange
words is, here's trifling, you do not work in eamejfi. Johnson*
Perhaps rather, here's a curious j^me, the laft we (hall ever pb^
with Antony ! Or perhaps (he is thinking of filhing with a Une, a
diverfion of which we have been already told (he was fond.
Shakfpeare has introduced ludicrous ideas with as much incongruity
in other places. Malonb.
Cleopatra, ncrhaps, by this affected levity, this phrafe which has
no determined fignification, only wilhes to infpire Antony with
cheerfulnefs, ancf encourage tho(e who are engaged in the melan-
choly taik of drawing him up into the monument. Stbevbns.
* — MT/^heavincfs,] Heavinefs is here ufcd equivocally for
fomtu and nueight. M a l o n e.
6^ ANTONY AND CLEOPATR^.
That makes the weieht : Had I great Juno's power^
The flrong-wing'd Mercury fhould fetch thee up^
And fet thee by Jove's fide. Yet come a li^e^-r^
Wilhcrs were ever fools ; — ^O, come, come, come ;
[Tbey draw Antony up.
And welcome, welcome ! die, where thou luft
liv'd : *
Quicken with kifling ; ' had my lips that power^ \
Thus would I wear them out.
All. a heavy fight !
Ant. I am dying, Egypt, dying :
Give me fome wine,* and let me fpeak a little.
Cleo. No, let me fpeak; and let mc rail fb
high.
That the falfehoufewife Fortune * break her wheel,
Provok'd by my offence. ,
Ant. One word, fweet queen :
Of Caefar feek your honour, with your fafety.-— Q |
* — — where thm haft lro*d:'] Old copy«— ocnkar t&oo, Uom
CoittBed. by Mr. Pope. Malonb.
* Siuicken tuiib kifflug ; — ] "^^^ i** R^f^ fy mj kifi.
JOHNSOm
So, in Hcywood's -Roya/ iT/'/r^, '637'
** And quklem moft where he would maft deftroy." '
STiivBiri.
4 Gi<ve me fomcwine^ SccJ] This circumftancc, like almoft every
other, Shakfpcarc adopted from Plutarch. Sir Thomas North, in
his tranflation, fays, — <* Antony made her ceafe from lamentiiig»
and called for wine, either becaufe he was athirft, or elfe for thiK
thereby to haften his death. When he had dronke, he camefthr
prayed her, and perfuadcd that (he would feeke to fave her life, tf
ihe could pofliblc, without reproache and diihonour : and that (he
(honld chiefly truft Proculeius above any roan clfc about Caefar."
Stbevews.
J — houfeivife Fortune — ] This defpicable line has occurred
before, Johnson,
See As^ou hkeit. Vol. VI. p. i c, n. 7 : *' Let us (It, and mock
the good houfcwife Fortune from ner wheel," &c. Malonb.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 641
Cleo. They do not go together.
Amt. Gentle^ hear me :
None about Caeikr truft^ but Proculeius.
Clbo. My refolution^ and my hands^ I'll truft ;
None about Csefan
Akt. The mifcrable change * now at my end,
lament nor forrow at : but pleafe your thoughts,
in feeding them with thofe my former fortunes
Wherein I liv'd, the greateft prince o' the world.
The noblefl : and do now not bafely die.
Nor cowardly ; put off my helmet to
My countryman, a Roman, by a Roman
Valiantly vanquifh'd. Now, my fpirit is going;
I can no more. [dies.
Cleo. Nobleft of men, woo't die ?
Haft thou no care of me ? Ihaii I abide
In this dull world, which in thy abfence is
No better than a ftye? — O, fee, my women.
The crown o* the earth doth melt : — My lord ! —
O, withered is the garland of the war.
The foldier's pole^ is fallen; young boys, and
girls.
Are level now with men : the odds is gone.
And there is nothing left remarkable
^ Thf miferable change &c.] This ^ech (lands thus in Sir T,
Monh's crandation of Plutarch. — ** As for himfelf, (he fhould not
lament nor forrow for the miferable change of his fortune at the
•od of his days ; but rather, that (he (hould think him the more
fortunate, for the former triumphs and honours he had received*
con(idering that while he lived, he was the nobleft and greateft
erincc of the world, and that now he was overcome, not cowardly,
Qt valiantly, a Roman, by another Roman." Stebvbns.
1 The foldiers p^le ] He at whom the foldiers pointed, u
at a pageant held high for obfervation. Johnson.
Vot. XII. T t
641 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Beneath the vifiting moon.* [She foifUs^
Char^ O, quietnefs, lady I
Iras. She is dead too^ our fovereign.
CuAR. Lady, —
Iras. Madam,-r-
CuAR. O madam, madam, madam !
Iras. Royal Egypt !
Emprefs !
Char. Peace, peace, Iras.
Cleo. No more, but e'en a woman s^ and com*
manded
• the odds hgouef
And there is motm/tg left remmrUtle
Beneath the 'vifiting moon.'] So« in Macbeth :
•• ^— from wis inftant
<' Thefe'f nothing ferious in mortalicx;
<' All if but toys; renown, and mcc, is dead ;
<< The wine of life is drawn, ana the mere lees
** Is left diis vaolt to brag on.'' Malonb.
9 No more, hut e'en a nvoman ;] Cleopatra is difcourfing wfdl
!ier women ; bat (he naturally replies to Iras who had acMrefled
herfelf to her, and not to Charmian, who only interpofed to prevent
Iras from continuing to (beak. Strike out the fpeech of Charmian,
which is faid afide to Iras, and the fenfe wilt be evident. Iras
addrefles Cleopatra by the titles of Roj^al Egypt vxA Emprefs ! whkk
Cleopatra rejeds as ill fuited to her prefent condition ; and fays,
(he is no more in that date of elevation, but on a level with the
reft of her fex. M.Mason.
Iras' has juft faid, — Royal Egypt, Emprefs! Cleopatra completes
the fentence, (without taking notice of the intervening words fpokea
by Charmian,) — Emprefs •• no more; but e'en a woman," now oil
a level with the meaneft of my fex. So, in Julius C^far^ p. 2 699
Caffius fays,
•* No, it is Cafca ; one incorporate
*« To our attempts. Am I not ftajd for^ Cinnaf'*
to which Cinna replies, without taking any notice of the latter
words [Am I not ftay'd for?] :
•• I am glad on't,"
. 2. e. I am glad that Cafca is incorporate to our attempts. See alfo
p. 67, n. 3.
ANTONY ANB OLEOPATRA. 64J
By fuch poor paffion as the maid that milka.
And does the m^anell chares.* — It were for me
To throw my fcepter at the injurious gods ;
To tell them, that this world did equal theirs.
Till they had ftolen our jewel. All's but naught j
Patience is fottilh; and impatience does
Become a dog that's mad : Then is it fin,
, To rufh into the fecret houfe of death,
£rc death dare come to us ? — How do you, women ?
What, what ? good cheer ! Why, how now. Char-
mian ?
My noble girls !— Ah, women, women ! look.
Our lamp is fpent, it's out: — Good firs, take
heart : — [to the guard below.
We'll bury him : and then, what's brave, what's
noble.
Let's do it after the high Roman fafhion.
And make death proud to take us. Come, away :
This cafe of that huge fpirit now is cold.
Ah, women, women ! come ; we have no friend
But refolution, and the briefeft end.
\^Exeunti tbofe above bearing off Antony's body.
The old copy reads — hot in a woman. The emendation was
flmde by Dr. Johnfon. The fame error has happened in many other
places in thefe plays. See Vol. VI. p. 215* n. 6. Maloni.
Peace^ feace, Iras, is faid by Charmian^ when (he fees the qneen
recovering, and thinks fpeech troublefome. Johnson.
* ^- — the meaneft chzxc^J] i.e. taflc-work. Hence our tern
ehare^njuomatt. So, xnHtyv/oodiS Rape of Lucrecf, 1630: ** She,
like a good wife, is teaching her fervants fundry chares.** Again,
in Hcywood's Brazen Age^ 1613 :
" . fpins,
*• Cards, and does chare-wjork.^'
Again, in Warner's Albion s England^ ch. 9 1 . Robin Goodfellow*
fays:
** And at my crummed mefle of milke, each night from
maid or dame,
•* ^o do their chares, as they fuppos'd" &c, Stb£VB^s«
T t 2
644. A^TQNY AND CLEOSA'mA^
' . . ■ . 1 •
ACTV. SCENE L ,
■ •..... . ' / . .
Caefar's Camp befofe Alexandria.
EMPer Ci>ESAR, Agrippa, Dolabelia^ Mec^kas/
G AL L U S, PrOCU LEI us, tf/fi 0/£^^r J.
Css. Go to him, Dolabella, bid him yield ;
Being fo fruftratc, tell him, he mocks us by
The paufes that he makes/ ^ ,
Dor.. Caefar, I (hall/ {Exit Dolabella*.
. ^ Enter Cafar, Agrippa^ Dotabella, mnd [Old copy] Menas, Vc^
Bat Menas and Men^cratcs, we ma^ remember^ were two ^moot
pirates^ linked with Sextus Pompeius, and who aififted him to
infeft the Italian coafl. We no where learn, exprefsly in the
play> that Menas ever attached himfelf to O&vius's party* Not-
widiftanding the old folios concur in marking the eatranctt thus^ <
yet in the tw,o places in the fcene> where this charaAer is made
to fpeak, the]^ have marked in the margin, Mec. fo that, as Dr.
Thirlby fagacioufly conjectured, we muS cafhier Menas, and fuh-
ftitute Mecznas in his room. Menas, indeed, deferted to Cziar
no lefs than twice, and was preferred by him. . But then we are to
coi\fider^ Alexandria was taken, and Antony kill'd himfelf, amio
U. C. 723. Menas made the fecond revolt over to Ai\ga(lus, U. C»,
717; and the next yes^r was flain at the fiege of Belgrade in Pan-
nonia, five years before the death of Antony. Theobald.
■^ Being fo fniftrate, tell him ^ he mocks [us by]
. The paufes that he makes.] Fruflrate^ for frufirated, was the^l
laigtiage of Shakfpcarc's time. So, in The Tempeft : j
.^ ^* ■ "ji and the fea mocks .
" Omi frufirate fearch by land."
So cottfummdfe for confummated^ untaminate for contaminated^ &c.
Again, in Holland's Tranflation of ^j/<r/o»/«j, 1606: •* But the •
deiignment both of the one and the other were defeated and
fruftrate by rcafon of Pifo his death**' -^
The laft two words of the firft of thcfe lines are not found in the
ANTONY AND' CLEOPATRAi. 6^
Enter Dercetas, wilb the /word of Antony.
Cms. Wherefore is that ? and what art thou, that
dar'ft
old copy. The dcfcdl of the metre (hows that fbraewhat was
omitted, and the paiTage by the omiffion was rendered unimtdli-'
giblc.
When in the lines juft quoted, the fea is faid to mock the fearch
of thofe who were feeking on the land for a body that had been
drown'd in the ocean, this is eafily uoderftood. But in that l)efore
us the cafe is very diflfcrent. When Antony himfelf made thcfci
paufes, would he mock, or laugh at them ? and what is the mean-
ing of fmckmg a paufe T ^ ■■
In Meafur< f$r Meafure the concluding word of a line was oiiic«
ted, and in like manner has been fupplied :
" How I may formally in penon bear [me]
'• Like a true friar,"
.Aqg;ain, in Romeo and Juliet ^ '599» ^^ 1613:
<* And hide me with a dead man in Ims/'
Jl>roud or tomb being omitted.
Again, \n Hamlet ^ 4to. 1604:
«* Thus confcicnce doth make cowardi,**
the words of us all being omitted.
Again, ibidem:
" S^ming to feel this blow," &c.
inilead of
' •« Then ftnjelefi Ilium
" Seeming to feel diis blow,"
See alfo note on the word*—** mock the meat it feeds on" in
Othello, Aa III. fc. iii.
And (imilar omiflions have happened in many other phys. Sep
Vol. X, p. 555, n. 7.
In furtner fupport of the emendation now made, it may be ob»
ferved, that the word mock^ of which our author makes ftequen(
vfe, is almoft always employed as I fuppofe it to have been afed
here. Thus, in King Lear: " Pray do not mock me.** Agaiii|
in Meafure for Meafure :
^* You do blafpheme the good in mocking me.*'
Again, in All's 'well that ends nuetl:
" You barely leave our thorns to prick ourfelves,
** And mock us ivith our barenefs."
T t ^
64^ ANtdl^ AND CLEOPATRflt
Appear thus to us ? *
Der. I am cnWd Dbrcctas ;
Mark Antony I ferv'd, who bcft was worthy
Bed to be fervid : whild he flood up^nand fpoke^
He was my matter ; and I wore my life.
To fpend upon his haters : If thou pleafe
To take me to thee, as I was to him
I'll be to Casfar; if thou pleafeft not^
I yield thee up my life.
/ipin, in the play before us :
*• — that nod unto the world,
*« And mock our e^a nuitb air."
The fecond interpretation given by Mr. Steevens in Ac foUowuii^
note is a juft interpretation of the text as tiono rrpJatedi but extraAs
from the words in the old copjr a meaning, which, without thofe
that I have fupplied, they certainly do not afford. Malon e.
I have left Mr. Malone't emendation in the text; though, t^
complete the meafure, we might read— fruftiate^, or
Being fofruftraie^ tell him that be moch — ic ;
as I am well convinced we are not yet acquainted with the full and
exa6l meanine of the verb mock, as fometimes employed by Shak*
fpeare. In Othello it is nfed agai« with equal departure from ii%
common acceptation.
My explanation of the words — He mocks the pam/es that he makes,
is as follows : He plays wantonly with the intervaJs of time which
he (hould improve to his own j^fefervation. Or the meanine may
be — ^being thus defeated in all his efforts, and left without refuurcc,
tdl him that theie affe^ed paufe^ and delays of his in yielding
himfclf up to me, are mere idle mockery. He mocks the pam/es,
may be a licentious mode of expreffion for— ^ makes a mockery of
us by tbe/e pau/es\ i. e. he trifles with us. Stesvens.
5 Cafar, IfiallJ] I make no doubt but it (hould be marked
here, that Dolabella goes out. 'Tis rcafonable to imagine he (hould
prefently depart upon Caefar's command; fo that the fpeeches
plac^ to him in the fequel of this fcene, mull be transferred to
Agrippa, or he is introduced as a mute. Befides, that Dolabella
(hould be gone out, appears from this, that when Czfar aiks for
fcim> he recolleds that he had fent him on bufinefs. Th bob ald,
* thus to jw^] i, c. with a drawn and bloody fword in tl^y
hand. Stsevbns,
ANTONY AND CtEOPATRA. U^J
Cms. What is't thou fay'ft ?
Der. I fayj O C^iar^ Antony is dead.
CeS.v The breaking of fo great a thing fhois|4
' make
A greater crack: The round world fhould hav^j
Aook
Lions into civil ftreets,^
7 — — The round <world Jhouid have fiook
Lions into c'wil ftreets^ &c.] I think here is a line Ipft, after
which it is in vain to go in qucft. The fcnfc fecms to have been
this : The round mmldjbould have fiook^ and this great alteration
of the fyftem of thines (hould fend lions into fireets^ and citizens int^^
4nis. There is fenfe ftill, butitisharih andyiolcnt. Johnson.
I believe we (hoold read — A greater crack than this : The rnin'd
world, i. e. the general difruption of elements (hould htLjejSMt,
&c, Shakfpeare feems to mean that the death of fo great a roaa
ought to have produced efie^ fimilarto thofe which might be ex-
pected from the diffolution of the oniveHe, when all difHndions
Ihall be loft. To J^ake any thing oat» is a phrafe in common ufe
amone our ancient writers. So Holinfhed, p. 743 : ** God'f
providence Jbaking men out of their fhifts of luppofed fafetic," 4tc* .
Perhaps, however, Shajcipcare iQight meaik nothing more here
than merely an earthquake, m which the (haking of the round tvorld
was to be fo violent as to tofs the inhabitants of woods into cttiett.
and the inhabitants of cities into woods. Stbevens*
The fenfe, I think, is complete and plain, if we confider^Sool
(more properlv Jbaken) as the participle paft of a verb aSive^ The,
metre would be improved if toe lines were diftribated thus: * 9 *
The round fworldjhould hofve JBook
Lions into civil ft reets^ and citizens
Into their dens, Tyrwhitt,
The defeft of the metre ftrongly fupports Dr. Jofanfon's conjec-^*
ture, that fomething it loft. Peroaps the paflage originally, ftood
thus:
The breaking of ibgreat a thing Ihodd oiakc
A greater crack. The round world flioiild kurc fhook ^; : •
Thrvwn hungry lions into civil ftreets, . ^ < ,
And citizens to their den«, . t > \
In this very page, five entire lines betwcea the wOid.^fa{ 19 TOf .
note, and the fame word in Mr. Tyrwhitt's iiotc> \f ere omitted^
by the compofitor, ia the original proof (beet. ^
T t 4
^t Mf&DNTAKiyOfiECXMCTI^
And citbcenrtockdr'dens s-^Tbe destk 6f AUbn^
Is not a finglc doom ; indiid(faanlo:lalfo0i . i r:* v '
A fyoicty pf the world. y^ ^
Der. Heis 4eadi GflQfar>r>^ ^*"t
Not by a publick miniftcr of jufticc, : ^ , .. !.
Nor by a hired knife; but that felf hand, ^
Which writ his honour in the adb it did^
Hath, with the courage which the heart did lend
it, '
Spfittcd the heart.-*— This is his fword, ^^
That- Arword*^** tbejppiiqd world (hould hiTC (hook/*
tain a dii^in^ propoiidon, and have no immediate conncxioii widf
theqextline^ may be inferred from hence ; that Shakfpeans, whea,
he means^ defbribc a^violent derangement of nature, aLnoft ahraiyr
i]a^pt|09i ^^e^k!* JSfaiiMjit or ban^ qtherwife convulfed: and
in theTe pafiages cdimantly employs' the word Jiook. or fome lyno-
nymous word, as a neutrd verb. Thus in Macbeth :
" The obfcure bird - - -.: .,.- j * J I
" ClamourM the live-long night ; fomc iay, the eartk .
" WasfcV*r6&s, and^ did >^tffc." -^
Again, in Corhlwms :
** — T — i» if the *^}orld
Again, in Pericles : ■ -• ^-^ - - .. tc
" Sir, . _
r-.". ^. f^.Oor lodginn Jbinding bleak upon the fea».
'^ Shook, as the earth did pmie*'. -, ;.
Again, in King Henry IF. P. I,
^ :. . /«. I fay, tt^ earth did Jiaie, when I was bom.—
'«' O, then the Mr^i^^oi, to ,fcc the heavens on firt^ . < 4
«' And not in fear 6f your nativity/'
Agaln^ in Kikg tear: - . 3 :
** thou TUX'Jhahng thunder, - - ^ .:.
'* Strike flat the thick miuiidhy of the nuoM^
«• Crack'nature's moulds."
Thb circumftance in my ^pprehenfion ftrongly confirms Dr;
Johnfon's fuggcflion that fome words hslve been omitted in the next
Lnc, and is equally advcrfo fO'Mr; Tyrwhitt*s emendation. The
words omitted were probably in the rtnddle of the line, whkh ori*:
g^udly might have flood thoil^AeiVir. : ' .' -
Lions beeHh^fikdi)MiO<t^ ItKOtt* ^i^-^ -: j- . a~ *
^ -And citizens to their dens. Ma lone*
AI^IT3Nnr/A!a>TliE(1VIlllRAA f4^
\ ivbi^d his wound of it 5 behohf it (huti\l' ' - ^
With his moft noble blood. '^
Cms. Lodk you fad, friends^
The god^ wbukc mc, but it is a tidings •
To wafli the eyes of kings/ '^
Agr. And (trange it ii, ,;
ghat nature muft compel us to lament
Ur moft perfifted deeds.
Mec. His taints and honoui^ *;
Waged equal with him.* ■
Agr. a rarer fpirit never
Did ftecr humanity: but you, gods, will give us ""
Some faults to make us men. Csfar is touch'd* \
Mec. When fuch a fpacious mirror's let bcftfrtP
Wm, ': _y
He needs muft fee himfelf. ']
Cas. ^ Q Antony!
' 2LtiJmgs ] Tbos the iecg^d folu^ lathefiift, thi
article had been cafaally omitted. Stiivens. . r ^^a
9 ■ but // is a tidings
To nwijb the eyes of khigs.^ That IS, UtPf At gods rtitk ate,
if this be not tidings to make kings nneef.
£nt, again, £ot if not. Johnson. \
* Waged e^uai nuith bim.'] For toaged, [the reading of die
firft folio] the modern editions have weighed. Johnson.
It is not eafy to determine the precife meaning of the word <uMfr«
In Othello it occurs again : ' ^
«* To wake and luage a danger profitlefs."
It may fignify to of>po/e. The fcnfc will then be, his taints and
honors were an ecjual match; i. e. were oppofed to each other in
juil proportions, like the counterparts of a wager. Stebvsns* .
Read-«^iuff^^-*with the lecond folio, where it is only mia* |
fpdkd mm^p So, in Shou's Wife^ by A. Chotp, 159J ; • .v
''•— notes her myndes dii<Aiy€C —Ti
«' To be fo gr^t ihc fctiaet dowiie 'wajedhy iu** .
i • - IUtson.
650 ANTONY AND XStEOPATRA:
I have foUow'd thee toUiW; — But we cte lanct*
Difeafes in our bodies 2 ^ I muft perforce
Have fhown to thee fuch a declining day.
Or look on thine ; we could not ftall together
In the whole world : But yet let me lament.
With tears as Sovereign as the blood of hearts.
That thou, my brother, my competitor
In top of all delign, my mate in empire.
Friend and companion in the front of war.
The arm of mine owa bpdy, and the heart
Where mine his thoughts * did kindle,— ^ that oyf
ftars,
Unreconciliable, fhould divide
. 9 ^...^Mmt'we^df hnce
Hifeafa in our bodies ;] [Old copy — lamtcb. — \ hmtncb was the
ancient, and is ftill the vulgar pronunciation of lance. Nur&s
always talk of launching the gonra of children, when they have
difficulty in cuttii^ teeuk
/ htn^e followed thee t fays Cseiar, 4o this ; i. c. I have purfued
thee, till I compelled thee to felf-deftrudion. But, adds the ipeaker,
(at once, extenuating his own cpnduA, and confidering the deceafed
m one with whom he had been onited by the ties of relationfhip as
well as policy, as one who had been a part of himfelf) the vio-
lence, with which I proceeded, was not my choice ; I have done
but by him as we do by our own natural bodies. I have employed
force, where force only could be efie^hiaL I have ihed the blood
of the irreclaimable Antony, on the fame principle that we lance
a difeafe incurable by gentler means. Steevbns.
When we have any bodily complaint, that is curable by fcarify^
ing, we ufe the lancet : and if we negkdt to do fo, we are deflroyed
by it. Antony was to me a difeafe ; and by his being cut ov, I
am made whole. We could not both have lived in the world to-
gether.
Launch^ the word in the old copy, is only the old fpeUing of
launce. See Minlhew's DiCT. in v.
So alfo Daniel, in one of his Sonnets :
*♦ — forrow's tooth ne*er rankles more,
" Than when it bites, but launchcth not the fore.**
Ma LONE.
- ■■ phis /^c*f^J/j— — ] His is here ufed for ///. M. Mason.
ANTONY AND CLEOEATRA* ^S%
Our equalncfs to this.^ — Hear me, good friends, —
But fwili tell you at feme meeter feafon;
EnUr a Meffengcr.
The buiinefs of this man looks out of him,
We'll hear him what he fays. — Whence are you ?♦
Mes. a poor Egyptian yet. The queen my
miftrefs,*
Confined in all (he has, her monument.
Of thy intents defires inftrudion ;
That Ihe preparedly may frame hcrfelf
To the way (he's forc'd to.
Cjes. Bid her have good heart ;
She foon fhall know of us, by fome of ours^
How honourable and how kindly we*
Determine for her: for Ca^far cannot live
To be ungentle.'
* Our t^alnefs to thi!,'\ That is, fiould have made us, in our
equality of fortune, difagree to a pitch like this, that one of as
muftdie. Johnson.
4 — Whence are you f\ The defe^ve metre of this line, and the
irregular reply to it, may authorize a fuppofition that it orlginallj
floc^ thus :
We* II hear him iffhat he fays. — Whence ^ and who arejou /
Steeven»#
* A poor Mgyptianyet. The queen my mflrefs, Arc] If this punc-
tuation be right, the man means to fay, that he \%yet an JEgyptian,
that is, yet a fervant of the queen of JEgypt^ though foon to be-
come a nibjedt of Rome. Joh n so n.
^ How honourable and how kindly we ] Our author often
nfcs adjcftives adverbially. So, in Julius Cafar:
" Young man, thou could'ft not die more honourable,"
See alfo Vol. vIII. p. 552, n. 5. The modem editors^ how-
ever, aU read — honourably. Ma lone.
' for Cafar cannot live
To be ungentle,^ The old copy has leave ^ Mr* Pope made the
emendation. M a lo n e.
6s2 JWNTONY AND CLEOPATRA^
Af £5. So the gods prcfcrvc thcc ! [£jr//.
CjEs. Come hither, Proculeius ; Go, and fay,
Wc purpofc her no (hame : giVc her what comforts
The quality of her paffion (hall require ;
Left, in her greatnefs, by fome mortal llrokd^
She do defeat us : for her life in Rome
Would be eternal in our triumph : ' Go,
And, with your fpeedieft, bring us what (he fays.
And how you find of her.
Fro. Gaefar, I (hall. [Exit PjbocuLBius;
Cjes. Gallus, go you along. — Where's Dolabclla^
To fccond Proculeius ? [Exit Gallijs.
Agr. Mec. Dolabella !
Cjes. Let him alone, for I remember now
How he's employed ; he fhall in time be ready*
Go with me to my tent ; where you (hall fee
How hardly I was drawn into this war ;
How calm and gentle I proceeded ftill
In all my writings : Go with me, and fee
What I can (how in this» [Exeuni^ .
. ' ■ her life itt Rome
Would be eternal In our triumph ;] Hanmer reads judicioafly
enough, bat without neceffity :
Would be etemalling our triumph :
TTie fenfc is, Ifjhe dies here, Jhe ivili be ftrgottett, but if I fetid
her in triumph to Rome, her memory aud my glory will be eternal.
JOHNSOK*
The following paffagc in The Scourge of Venus, 8cc. a poeiii,^
1614, will fufiiciently iSpport the old reading:
** If fome foule-fwelling ebon cloud would fall,
«* For her to hide htvklf eternal in." Ste ev ens.
i\$*IKmr ANDnGLEOMTRiV* 65J*
SCENE II. ^
Alexandria. A R^om in the Monument. -
£»/^r Cleopatra/ Charmian, and Iras. '^ \
CljBO. My defolation does begin to make
A better life x 'Tis paltry to be Caefar ;
Not bluing Jortune^ he's but fortune's knave^^
A ipinift^r of her will ; And it is great
To do that thing that ends. all other deeds ;
Which (hackles accidents, and bolts up change r
Which fleeps, and never palates more the dpng, * ^
The beggar's purfe and Ca^far's^* y
» %
i -
» Enter Chopatta,' BccJ] Our author here (as in K. Henry VII A *
Vol. XI. p. 177* n. 8.) has attempted to exhibit at once the out- '
fide and the infide of a building. It would be impoifible tp repre«i
ient this fcepe in any way on the ftage, but by making Cleopatn
and her attendants fpeak all their fpeeches till the queen is feized,
within the monnmcnt. Malone.
9 fortune* s knarve^ The fervant of fortune. JoH NSON,
* ■ And it h great
iTo do that thing that ends all other deeds ;
Which Jhackles accidents^ and holts up -change ;
Which Jleeps, and never palates more the dung.
The beggar's nurfe and Cafars.'\ The difficulty of the paflage,
if anv difficult there be, arifes only from this, that the ad of
fuiciae, ' and the date which is the e£fe6l of fuicide are confounded.
Voluntary death, fays Ihe, is an adt 'which holts up change \ it pro-
duces a ftace.
Which Jleeps^ and never palates more the dung^
^he beggar s nurfe y and Cafars.
^hich has no longer need of the grofs and terrene fuftenance, in
the ufe of which Casfar and the beggar are on a level.
The fpeech is abrupt, but perturbation in fuch a ftate is furely
natural. Johnson.
It has been already faid in this play, that
654 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Enier^ to the gates of the Monument, Proculeiu$,
Gallus^ and Soldiers*
Pro. Caefar fends greeting to the queen of Egypt j
And bidsr thee ftudy on what fair demands
Thou mean'ft to have him grant thee.
Cleo. [TFitbin.'] Whafs thy name?
Pro. My name is Proculeius.
Clbo. [JVitbinJ] Antony
Did tell me of you, bade me truft you; but
I do not greatly care to be deceived.
That have no ufe for trufting. If your mafter
Would have a queen his beggar, you muft tell him.
That majefty, to keep decorum, muft
No lefs beg than a kingdom : if he pleafe
To give me conquered Egypt for my fon.
He gives me fo much of mine own, as I
Will kneel to him with thanks.
Pro. Be of good cheer;
You are fallen into a princely hand, fear nothing:
Make your full reference freely to my lord.
Who is fo full of grace, that it flows over
On all that need : Let me report to him
" our dungy earth alike
•* Feeds man as beaft."
and Mr. Toilet obferves, ** that in Herodtut, B. III. the ^Eduo
pianking, upon hearing a defcription of the nature of wheat, le-
plied, that he was not at all furprized> if men, who eat nodung
but iiutt^^ did not attain a longer life." Shakfpeare has the fiuoe
epithet in The }VmUr*s Tale:
*• ■ the face to fweeten
«* Of the whole dungy earth."
Again, in Timon:
** the earth's a thief
•* That feeds and breeds by a compofture ftolen
" From general excumtnts* Steevens,
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 65^
Your fweet depcndancy ; and you fhall find
A conqueror^ that will pray in aid for kindnefs/
Where he for grace is kneel 'd to.
Cleo. \JVithtn.'] Pray you, tell him
I am liis fortune's vallal, and I fend him
The greatnefs he has got/ I hourly learn
A dodrine of obedience ; and would gladly
Look him i' the face.
Pro. This I'll report, dear lady.
Have comfort ; for, I know, your plight is pity'd
Of him that caus*d it.
Gal. You fee how eafily flie may be furpriz'd ;
[Here Proculeius, and two of the guards afcend
the monument by a ladder placed againft a
window^ and having defcended, come behind
Cleopatra. Some of the guard unbar and
open the gates .^
Guard her till Csefar come.^
\to Proculeius and the guard. Exit Gallus,
^ ■ that wiU pray in aid for kirtdne/sA Praying iti aid is t
term afed for a petition made in a coart of juftice for the call*
ing in of help from another that hath an intercft in the caufe in
qaeftion. Hanmer.
The greatnefs be has got. "l I allow him to bc my conqneror; I
oim his fuperiority with complete fubmiffion. Johnson.
A kindred idea fecms to occur in The Tempefi :
•• Then, as my gifi, and thj ofwn acquifition^
«• Worthily purcSas'd, take my daughter." Stebvins.
Johnfon has miftaken the meaning of this paflage* nor will the
words bear the conflrudion he gives them. It appears to me, that
by the greatnefs he has got ^ (he means her crown which he has won;
and I fuppofe that when (he pronounces thefe words, (he deliverg
to Proculeius either her crown, or fome other enfign of royalty.
M. Mason.
* In the old copy there is no ftage-direftion. That which is now
inferted is formed on the old tranllation of Plutarch : " Proculciu*
came to the gates that were very thicke and ftrong, and furcly
656 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRAT
Iras* Royal queen !
Cbar, O Cleopatra! thou art taken, queen! —
barred ; but yci There were fime crsnrmti thran^h tht ^w^fh hr^fi^
might *# h/ardt and fo ihey 'withut lindeHlood chie Clmptrm de*
maundcd the kbgdome of Egypt for hcf fonjw^ : Jind thit PfOCi*
kius aunfwered her, that fht fbould be of good checre an4 iM be
tffraycd to refer all ttnto Caefar. After he had vieivvd ihc placi
vcr>* vveU, he came and reported her aunfwerc ymo Czfar : wlo
immediately fcrtt GalTas 10 /peak once againe with her, and bad
him purpofely bold her wiih talk, ^j^hdfl Procylcius did^ •> tjftMt^
againfi that hi^h tvhtd^^ve &j thf ni^hkh Ant^nitu *wat tfy/td m^^ mid
came d^njun ittio ihf m^aumfnt ikmh i^v^ of hu men kard Sj tie gatft
where Ckoparra ftood to hear what Gall us fa id tinto her, oSe of
her wo men which wa^ fliut in her monumeiit with her, fawe Pro*
culcius by chaunce^ as he c^ime down*:, and 111 reeked outi Q,
poore Cleopatra, thou art taken. Then when (he fawe PrDculciiM
behind her bj& ftie came frotn the gate, ihe thought to have tabbed
hcrfelf with a thort dagger flie wore of piirpofe by her fittc. Bot
Proculeius came fodainly upon her» and taking her by both the
hands, fayd unto her, Cleopatra, firft thou Ihalt doe thy fd^
great wrong* and fecondly unto Cicfar, to deprive him of the oc-
cafton and opi^onunitic opcnlie to (hew hi* vauutage and mercifi
and to give nis enemies caufe to accufc the moft courtcotis m^
nobJe prince that ever was, and to appeache him as though be wwe
a cmcl and mercilefle man, that were not to be truiled* So, efot
2s he fpal^e the word, he tooke her dagger from her, and Qiodn
her clothes for feate of any poyfon hidden about her," M^Lont^
* Gali Tgm fie b^w enfiij Pe mej hf /itrfm*d;—'
Guard her tili Car/ar £om^.] [Mr, Rowe (and Mr* Pope fol-
lowed him) allotted this fpeech to Charmmi,] This blumlcr «nt
for want of knowing, or obferving^ the hiftorical fa^. Whm
C^far fent Proculeius to the queen, he fent Gallus after him widi
new inftrutltons : and while ouc amufed Cleopatra with prcfjofitiooa
from Cxfar, through the crannies of the monument, the other
fcalcd it by a ladder, entered it at a window backward, and itmh
Cleopatra, and thofe with her, prifoiien* 1 hive rcfonned the
paflage therefore, (as, I am perfuadcd, the author dcfigned it;J
from the authority of Plutarch, [Mr* Theobald gives — Tom Jet
hm^ eafily &c. to €aUm \ and Gumrd ker^t* tO ?rer*/rfW,]
TiflQBAtfr.
This line in the firfl cdirion is given to Proculdiu; aod to him
it certainly belongs, though perhaps mifplaccd, 1 would put ii H
the end of hii foregoing ipccch :
I
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 657
Cleo* Quick, qtikk^ good hands.
[drawing a dagger.
]^ Pro, Hold, worthy lady, hold;
[feizes and difarms beu
Do not yourfclf fuch wrong, who are in this
Jleliev'd, but not betray'd,
Clbo* What j of death too.
That rids our dogs of languifh ?^
Pro. Cleopatra,
Do not abufemy mafter's bounty, by
The undoing of yourfelf: let the world fee
Wh/rt he far gracf h Jtrtettd te*
[Afide to GaBus*] Tm fee^ ho^v tafily fie may he fttr^rm^di.
Then while Cleopatra makes a fornial aufwcr. Gall us, upon
tlie hint given, feizci her, and Procukinit interrupdng the civility
of his anfwer ;
m ymr pitghi is pttyd
Of him thai cam^d ih
cnes out t
Guafdher ilU C^far c&mi^ JOKKSOK.
To this fpeech, as well as the (ircccdbg* /Vs, [L c. Proculcmsl
h prefixed ui the old copy* It is clear from the paHage qpoicd
from Plutarch in the following note that this was an error of the
compofitor's at the prefs, and thai it belongs to GalJas \ who* after
Procukius hath, according to his fuggeftian, afcendcd the monu*
ment, gocs^ out to inform C^far that Cleopatra is^ taken. That
Cxfar was liiforraed immediately of Cleopatra's being taken « ap-
pears from Dolabclla's firft fpecch to f rdculcius on his entiy. Sec
p. 660 ;
'* Proculeius,
" What thou haft done, thy mailer Csfar knows/' «rc.
This information, it Is to be prefuraed, Ca^fat obtained from Gallus,
The ftage-diredlions being very imperfe^ in thLs fccne in the old
copy, no exit is here marked ; but as Gallus afterwaids enters along
witn Caefar, it was undoubtedly the author's intention that be
fhould here go our* In the modem editions this as well as the
preceding fpecch is given to Procukius, though the error in the
old copy clearly fhows that fwo fpealicrs were intended. Ma lone.
^ tangui^ f ] So, in Rfmtti and juUei^ Aft I» fc, ii :
" One dcfpcrate grief cure with another's l&ngmfl?J'
Vol. XIL U u
658 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
His noblenefs well aitcd, which your death
Will never let come forth*
Cleo. Where art thou> death \
Come hither^ come ! come, come, and take a queen
Worth many babes and beggars ! ^
Pro, O, temperance, lady!
Clbo. Sir, I will eat no meat, TU not drink, firs
If idle talk will once be ncceflary,
I'll not fleep neither : * This mortal houfe lil rain.
"^ Worth m^nj hahes and Beggars t] Why, death* wilt tjtott Ml
rather feize a queen, than employ thy force upon BaBts and i>e^mfm
* IfUU talk 'Wiii m£€ he neceffhr^^
ril mi Jieip mUhir ; ] / ov/// n&t cm, and ifii wll he mttff&t^
n^-w fir mce to wa^e a moment in idle talk of my p«rpofe, i^wiii
mi Jhep neither » In common convcrfation wc oSften iifc m^iH he,
with as little relation to futurity. As, Now I am going, it miU
he fit for me to dine firfl:* Joh nson*
O^jce may mcao fgmeiimeu Of this ufe of the word I ha Fed*
ready given inftances, both in The Merrj Wrves &f Wmdfor^ and
Kmg Hemj i'7IL The meaning of Cleopatra fcemi to be this.
If idle talking be fometimes nccclTary to the prolongation of life,
why I will not Jieep for fear of talking idly in my fletp^
The fenfedefi|ncd, however, may be ^Ifitbe neceflaty, for
once, to talk of performing impombititics, why. Til not flecp
neitlicr* 1 have Hide confidence, however, in ibefc attempts to
produce a meaning from the words under confidcration. Steetzni,
The cxplicationB above given aopear to me fo unfatisfafloiy,
and fo little dedncible from the woros, that 1 have no doubt that 1
line has been loft after the word neceffury^ in which CleopatTa
threatened to obferve an obftinate fiknce- The line probably
began with the words /'//, and the compofitor** eye glancing oa
the fame wordi in the line beneath, all that inicrvened w^ laft«
Sec p< j39> n. 5, and p* 647, n. j'
S)o, mOthem^ <^uarto, 1622, Ad IlL fci:
" And needs no other faitor but his Ulcingtv
*< To iake the Jafffi ^cafim hj the /rtmt^
•' To bring you in/^
in the foHo the fecond line is omitted, by cbe compofitor^ii eye,
after the firtl word of it wa^ compofed, gbncing on tlic iaine word
inimediatcly under it in the fubfcquent line, and then proceeding
witli (hit line inikud of the other. Thk happens fi^^iiciiUy i^t m
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 65^
Do C^far what he can. Know, fir, that I
Will not wait pinion'd at your maftcr's court;
Nor once be chaftis*d with the fober eye
Of dull Oflavia. Shall they hoifl: me up.
And Jhow me to the fhouting varletry
Of cenfuring Rome? Rather a ditch in Egypt
Be gentle grave to me ! rather on Nilus' mud
Lay me ftark naked, and let the water-flies
Blow me into abhorring 1 rather make
My country's high pyramides my gibbet,'
And hang me up in chains !
prefs* The omitted line in the paflTa^ which has given rife to the
prefcat note, might have been of this impiirt;
Sir* I will eit no meat, I'll not drink, fir|
If idle talk will once be neceifary,
I'hh nai fi much m fylUhh a nj^rd\
l*Li* not flecp neither : This mortal houfe III ruin* ^c*
The words 77/ nm Jlttp mithrr^ contain a new and didln^ me-
nace* I once tho«rfit that Shakfpeare might have written — I'll
not /peak neither; out in p, 671, Casfar comforting Cleopatra,
fays, " feed, and fe^^ ;** whicn ihowa that f^tp in the psUlagt
■ before us is the true reading. Ma lone.
I I agree that a line is loll, which I Oiall attempt to fupply :
I ^j>, / *wiU eat no meat^ I'U mt drink ^ Jsri
^Hm Iftdit talk ^wili mce tf nettjfary^
^K^^ [I will not fpcak ; if ile^p be ncceflary,]
^^^ ril n0jh€p rfci/her.
W The repetition of the word mcfjhry may have occasioned the
■ omiflion, Ritson,
I w Mjci>iinftyt Ji^r^hpytamidtsmjgMett] The poet defigncd we
I (botild read — fymmfdcs^ Lat- inftead of pjmmids^ and fo the folio
I Tcads. The verfe will otherwife be dcfc^vc* Thui, in Dn
I Fauflm^ 160J.1
W " Befidcs the gates and high pyramids
I , '* 'l^t Julius Ciefar brought from Afiica*'*
■ Again, mTamburiniwf^ H9^ "
" Like to the fhadows of ;&yf<3fflr/^/." ^^^
Again, in Warner's v^MWi Englaad^ i6o2.*B, XII. c. Ixjuii:
'* The cheaters, pjramidtt^ the hills of half a mile/*
Mr. ToHet obferves, "that Sandys in hia Travfh, as well at
Drayton in the 16th fong of his FeljaUm^ iife» pymmidtf Sa a
quad rify liable * SxEEVE^gs^
U U 2
660 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Pro. You do extend
Thefe thoughts of horror further than you fliall
Find caufe in Csefar.
Enf^r EfOLABELLA.
Dot. Proculeius^
What thou haft done thy mafter Caefar knows^
And he hath fent for thee : as * for the queen,
I'll take her to my guard.
Pro. So, Dolabella,
It Ihall content me beft : be gentle to her. —
To Caefar I will fpeak what you Ihall pleafe,
[to Cleopatra.
If you'll employ me to him.
Cleo. * Say, I would die.
[Exeunt Proculeius, and Soldiers.
DoL. Moft noble emprefs, you have heard of mc?
. Cleo. I cannot tell.
DoL. Afluredly, you know me.
Cleo. No matter, fir, what I have heard, or
known.
Ypu laugh, when boys, or women, tell their dreams ;
Is't not your trick ?
DoL. I underftand not, madam.
' Cleo. I dreamed, there was an emperor An*
tony ; —
D, fuch another deep, that I might fee
But fuch another man !
DoL. If it might pleafe you, —
Cleo. His face was as the heavens; and therein
ftuck
; • as — — 1 This copjunfiion is wa&tiiig in the firf, te
isfupplicdbythcfccondfolio. Steevbns.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, 66 1
A fun,' and ntoon; which kept their courfe, and
lighted
The little O, the earth.*
DoL, Moft fovereign creature, —
Cleo, His legs bedrid the ocean : ' his rear'd arm
Crefted the world ; * his voice was propertied
As all the tuned fphcres^ and that to friends; *
But when he meant to quail and Ihake the orb^
He was as rattling thunder. For his bounty^
^ at fh heavens ; enithinm ftuck
rA fun,] So. in Kin^ Henry IF, P* II :
" -^ \ijiifck upon him, as the/vii
•* In the grey vault of J&rii^r«," Steeveki*
» l%e iiiih O, tbf tarih,} Old copy —
Th^ /iff If g' ih^ earths
Dol, M(ift fin^^enign ertaiuref
Wliat a bleikd limping vcrfe thefc htmftkh giv e us ! Had none
of the editors an ear to find the hitch in its pace? There is but
m fjrllablc wanting, and thaf^ 1 believe verily, was but of a finglc
letter, 1 rcftore :
Thi link O 0* iP earthy
i, ew the littk orb or circle^ Our poet In other palTages chufes ta
cxprefs himfelf thus, Th e o b a l d.
When two words arc repeated near to each other, printers very
often omit one of them. The text however may well ftand.
Shakfpearc frequently ufe$ O for an orb or drcle* So, in King
Htnryy:
" -—^- can we cram
*^ Within this wooden 0 the very cafques," &g«
Again, in -^ Midjumm^r-Ntghi*s Dream :
*' Than all yon fiery m-f, and eyes of light*'* Mai*o»i,
3 HfS legi beftrid ihe ccf/m: &c,] So, in yaimt Cafsr •
" Why* man» he doth bcftride the narrow world,
" Like a ColoiTiJs/' MALoifi,
^ hh rtar'd arm
Cfrfied ibc mjorU :} AUtiding to fome of the old crcfts in he-
raldry, where a raifcd arm on a wreath was mounted on the hclmec,
Percy,
J ^— aiid that to/rUndt;} Thus the old copy. The modem
editors read, with no Icfs obfcarity ;
,r^*« when ikal t& frieuds. Stsevens.
Uu3
€62 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
There was no winter in't; an autumn 'twas.
That grew the more by reaping: * His delights
Were dolphin-like ; ^ they fhow'd his back above
The element they liv*d in : In his livery
There *tuas m ^wmter ifi'i j an autumn Vi^wr,
TJ^ai gtffW $ht mort hy resptn^: ] Old COpy*«^ *
an Antony /I wtfm^ .
There was ccnainl)^ a contrait both In the thought and tcnus,
dcfign'd here, which is loft in an accidental corruption- How
could an Antmj ^iqw the more by reaping? I'll venture, by a
vciy eafy change, to leftore an exqiiiutc fine allufioo ; whic!i
carries its leafon with ii too^ why there was no 'wimur in bu
bounty :
■ Far his hmuij^
Thtn mim m winter mi ; mi auttimn ^im^ast
That grcm the more 6y riaprng^ _
T otight to lake notice, that the ingenious Dr. Thirlby Ukewife
ftaried this very emendation* and had mark'd it in the margin of
his book. Theobald,
The following lines in Shakfpeare's 53d Sonnet add fuppoit to
the emendation :
*' Speak of the fpring, and fii/Qn of the year,
** The one doth ftiadow of your bounty (how;
<* The Gther as your hmnty doth appear^
*' And you Lo every blefled ftiape wc know***
By tlic other in the third line* 1, c, the f&ifrfi of the year^ dit
poet means mtumn^ the feafon of plenty-
Again, in The TempeJ! :
** How does my hoUfHemx fiftcr [Crr^/] P* Malone*
I cannot refift the temptation to quote the following beautiful
paOage from Ben Jonfon's Ne^ Ittn^ on the fubjeft of U Derail ty :
•* He gave me ray firft breeding, I acknowledge ;
•' Then fhowVd hh bouniies on mc, like the hour*
'• That open-handod f\t upon the eloud^,
** And prcfs the Itberalily of heaven
•* Down to the laps of thankful mcn.*^ Steivehs,
^ — His deifghn
Were dolphin-ltkc ; y<-,] This image occurs iit a fliort pcoil
inferted in T, Lodgc*s Life and Death of Wdliam L^ttghtm^i^ At
mfl fatmus andnx}iuy Engiifi Tramr ^c, 1593* 4to. bh I.
•• Oh faireoffaireil, Ddphm-iih^
** Within the riven of my pkint/' kc, Stii Vint*
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. Uz
:WaIk'd crowns^ and crownets ; realms and iflands
were
As plates ^ dropp'd from his pocket.
DoL. Cleopatra,—-
Cleo. Think you, there was, or might be, fuch
a man
As this I dream'd of?
DoL. Gentle madam, no.
Cleo. You lie, up to the hearing of the gods.
But, if there be, or ever were one fuch,"^
It's paft the fize of dreaming : Nature wants ftufF
To vi€ ftrange forms * with fancy ; yet, to imagine
An Antony, were nature's piece 'gainft fancy.
Condemning (hadows quite,'
• As plates ] Plates mean, I believe, Jiher money. So, in
Mario w's Jenu of Malta ^ ^^11 '
" What's the price of tliis flave 200 crowns ? ■
•« And if he has, he's worth ^00 plates."
Again:
«• Rat*ft thou this Moor but at too plates ?** Steevens.
Mr. Stccvenr joftly interprets plates to mean filver money. It
is a term in heraldry. The balls or roundels in an efcutcheon of
arms, according to their difierent colours, have different names*
If gules ^ or red, they are called torteauxes; if or, or yellow,
bezants ; if argent, or white, plates, which are buttons of filvCT
without any impreffion, but only prq^ared for the (lamp.-
So Spenfer, Fagry ^ueen, L. II, c, vii, ft, 5 :
" Some others were new driven, and diftent
** Into great ingoes, and to wedges fquare ;
** Some in round plates withouten moniment,
'* But moft were ftampt, and in their metal bare,
« The antique (hapes of kings and ke&rs, ftrauog and rare."
Whallbt.
9 or ever 'were one fuch^ The old copy has— «f«r ever, icz.
The emendation wa$ made by Mr* Rowe. Malom,
* To y\^ ftrange forms ] To v^ wataterm at cards. Sec
Vol, VI. p. 338, n.9; and p. 4^9, n. z, Steevens,
} yet, to imagine
An Antony, tverc nature's piece 'gainft fancy.
Condemning ftifaiows a«//r,] The word pice, is a term appro-
U U4
66^ ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
DoL. Hear me» good madam :
Your lofs is as yourfelf, great ; and you bear it
As anfwering to the weight : 'Would I might never
Overtake purfu'd fuccefs, but I do feel.
By the rebound of yours, a grief that flioots '
My very heart at root.
Cleo. I thank you, fir.
Know yqu, what Cacfar means to do with me ?
DoL. I am loath to tell you what I would you
i knew.
. Cleo. Nay, pray you, fir, —
Dot. Though He be honourable,-^-
Cleo. He'll lead me then in triumph?
DoL. Madam, he will ;
I know it,
IVirniN. Make way there, — Csefar.
Enter QjE^AViy GalluS| Procuusius, M£Ci£NAs^
Selbucus, and Attendants.
C^s. Which is the queen
Offegypt?
DoL. 'Tis the emperor, madam.
[Cleopatra kneels.
. Css. Arifc,
priated to works of art. Here Nature and Fancy produce each
thtii piece t and tht piece done by Nature had the preference. An-
tony was id leality paft the fixe of dreaming ; he was more by Naturt
cEaii Fancj could preient in fleep. Johnson.
^ ,-^^^fioots — ] Hie old copy reads— 3/«//^j. St e evens.
Thecorrcftion was made by Mr. Pope. The error arofe from
the two wordsy in the time of Queen Elizabeth, being pronounced
alike. See Vol. V, p. 252, n, 6. Malonb*
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 665
You fhall not kneel :-
I pray you, rife ; rife, Egypt.
I Cleo. Sir, the gods
■ Will have it thus ; my mafter and my lord
I muft obey.
I Cms* Take to you no hard thoughts :
The record of what injuries you did us.
Though written in our flefli, we fhall remember
As things but done by chance.
h Cleg* Sole fir o' the world,
I cannot pro]e<ft mine own caufe fo well*
To make it clear; but do confefs, I have
Been laden with like frailties^ which before
Have often ftiam'd our fex.
* / cafimt projcfl otiW sftvff caufe fa i^U^r-^ Pro^jeB £gnifict to
ifevtnt a caufcj noc to pltad lii which is the fcnfe hcrt le^iiircd.
It is plain ihat we OiouJd read :
/ cannot proftor my ifwn can fa fa rwdh
TTic tech D ical term , to plead by an ad vocatc* W a r b u r to m .
Six T, Hanmer reads :
/ cwtnst parget mj mjcn caufa
meaning, I cannot 'whitrwajh^ *uamijB^ or ghfo my caufc. I be-
lieve the prefent reading to be right* To prt>JeB a caufa is to r*-
prtfant a caufe ; to profa^ it njjeii, is to plan or conirhw a fcheme of
defence. Johkion,
The old reading may certainly be the true one- Sir John Har-
rington in his Mfiamorph^fai of Jjnx^ 1 jq6, p, 79, fayi^ *^ I have
«hofen Ajax for the projeS of this difcouHc/* Yet Sir Thomaa
Hanmcr's conjc^iirc may be likcwife countenanced ; for the word
he wifhes to bring in> is u fed in the 4ih eclogue of Drayton :
*' Scorn 'd pain ting5» p^^g'it and the borrow *d hair/'
And feveral times by Ben Jonfon, So, in The Sileni W^man:
* • Ihe 's above fifty too , and pargetu* * Steevemu
In Math ado ahmt NQibmg^ we find thefc lines ;
" She cannot love,
• *< Nor take no fhape nor proje/i of afl«^ion#
^ " She ia fo felf-cndcar'd/'
1 cannot ^rd;V/?, *Sfc. means therefore, I cannot fhapc or form my
caufe, &c. MALofTE*
«66 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Cms. ^ Cleopatra, know.
We will extenuate rather than enforce :
If you apply yourfclf to our intents,
(Which towards you are moft gentlej you fhall find
A benefit in this change; but if you feek
To lay on me a cruelty, by taking
Antony's courfe> you fliall bereave yourfelf
Of my good purpofcs, and put your children
To that deftrudion which I'll guard them from.
If thereon you rely. Til take my leave*
CiEO. And may, through all the world: 'tis
yours ; and we
Your Tcutcheons, and your figns of conqueft, fhall
Hang in what place you pleafe. Here, my good
lord,
Cms. You fhall advifcmc in all for Cleopatra,*
Cleo. This is the brief of money, plate, and
jewels,
I am pofTcfs^d of: 'tis exaflly valued;
Not petty things admitted/ — Where's Scleucus?
^S Ymfimllai^iji mt m idlfor CltQpafm^ You (hall )rourfdf be
my counfeUor, and fuggcft whatever you wifh to be done for ytjur
fdueft So* after wards:
" For wc intend fo to difpofe you, as
« Yourfdffliallgive uscouofd." Malone,
B^ ptm things ^^tcmzA^^ Sagacious editors I Cleopatra gir^
ia a lift of her w^th, fays, *tis exadly valued, but that petty
tbinp ate not admitud in this lid : and then fhe appeals to her
treafiirer, that ihe ha& refcrvied nothing to herfclf. And when lie
betrayt her, tlic is reduced to the flufi of exclaiming againft the
ingratitude of fervants, and of making apologies for having fccretcd
certain triEes. Who docs not fee, that we ought to read :
Noi pfity thwgs omitted I
For this declarauon lays open her falthood ; and makes her angiy,
when her treafancr detects her in a direfl litv ThmobaLd.
Notwilhftanding the wrath of Mr. Theobald, I have reftored
she old reading, f^lic i^ angry afi^wards^ that fhc is accnfed of
^
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA, 667
Sel, Here, madam,
CiBQ, This is my treafurer; let him fpeak, my
^ lord, '
Upon his peri!, that I have referv'd
To myfelf nothing. Speak the truth, Seleucus.
Sel. Madam »
I had rather feel my lips,^ than, to my peril.
Speak that which is not*
Cleo, What have I kept back ?
Sel* Enough to purchafe ^/hat you have made
known,
CjES. Nay, blufli not, Cleopatra; I approve
Your wifdom in the deed*
Cleo* See, Caefar! O, behold^
How pomp Is follow'd ! mine will now be yours ;
And, fiiould we ihifc eftates, yours would be mine.
The ingratitude of this Seleucus does
Even make me wild : — O fiave, of no more truft
Than love that's hir'd ! — What, goeft thou back?
thou flialt
Go back, I warrant thcc; but Til catch thine eyes.
Though they had wings: Slave, foul-le^ viUaiOj
dog!
O rarely bafe ! '
C^s. Good queen, let us entreat you.
Cleo. O Caefar, what a wounding fhame is this 1 ^
aving referred more than petty things* Dr* Warbarton and Sir
T. Hanmcr fol lo w Theobald . Johnson*
' ■ feri mj /^J"»] Sew up my mouth* J oh k son.
It meanly clofe up my Ups as eiedtially as the eyes of a hawk
arc clofed* To feci hawks was the technical term* ST££V£id6*
* O rartfy kiffit^ u e, bafe in an uncommon degrte*
Sr^EvtHi.
^ O €afar$ &c.] This fpeech of Cleopatra is takcQ from Sir
:^
668 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
That thou, vouch fafing here to vific me*
Doing the honour of thy lordlinefs
To one fo meek/ that mine own fcrvanc (hould
Parcel the fum of my difgraces by '
Addition of his envy 1 ^ Say, good Caefar,
That I fome lady trifles have referv'd.
Thomas North's trandadon of Plutarch, where it ftands as follow t*
«* O Cacfart is not this great fliamc and reproach, thar thou having
f ouchfafed to take the pains to come unto me, and haft done me
this honour j poor wretch and caitiff creature, brought into thit
piriful and miferahle dlate, and that mine own fervant» fhould
come now to accufc me, lliough it may be that I have rcrcrved
fome joveh and trifles meet for women, but not for me fpoor foul)
to fet out myfelf withal ; but meaning to give fome pretty prefcnis
imto 0€fevia and Lim, that they making means and iutcrcdfion
for me to thee, thou mighteft yet extend ihy favour and mercy
upon me," &c» Steevens,
* Taime/amtekf] Mttk, I fuppofe, means here, /^ji^, fubdued
hy adverfity- So, in the parallel paffage in Plutarch: — ^* poor
wretch, and caitiff creature, bronght into this pitiful and miferable
cftate •" Cleopatra In any other fenfc wa^i not eminent for
Our author has employed this word in The Eafe «f titcnUf in
the fame fenfe as here :
" Feeble deijre» all recreant, poor, and »«•!,
** Like to a bankrupt beggar, wails his cafe," Malone#
J Parcel the fum of my difgraces Ij ] To pnrtd htf difgracn^
might be cxpreffcd in vulgar language, /o Ifundh ttf her caiamiiiei^
|0lfKSO^«
The meaning, I think, either is, *^ — that this fellow fliould
add one more parcel or i^rm to the fum of my difgraces, namely,
his own malice;''— -or, " that this fellow (hoM t&t jy/thefom of
jny difgraces, and add hh own malice to the account*''
Fflrf^/ishcre u fed tech nicaHy, So, m Kmg ihwry IF, P* I,
** That this fellow [Francis, the drawer,] (hould have fewer
words than a parrot! his eloquence the pariel of a reckoning***
There it means, ather an item^ or the accumulated total formed
by V a riou s iums* M a l o n e ,
-i^f histmy^ Emj is here, as almoft alwavs in thde
cVou;-
plays, m«ike*
y XL p. 6r, n, 9 \ and p, loj, Maloni,
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 669
Im moment toys, things of fach dignity
As we greet modern friends ' withal t and fay^
Some nobler token I have kept apart
For Livia, and Odavia, to induce
Their mediation; mull I be unfolded
With one that I have bred ? The gods ! It fmites
me
Beneath the fall I have. Pr'y thee, go hence ;
■ [To Seleucus,
■ Or I fliall (how the cinders of my fpirits
Through the afties of my chance: "^^ — Wert thou a
ft man,
I do
'^ -^— modern /Hrtr^ — ] Modern means httt^ as it generally
docs in ihcfe plaj s* eommm or ardmaiy, M, Masoi*.
So, iri At ytm iike ii :
" Full of wife faws and moJerfi inftanccs/'
See Vol. VI, p. 6S* n-9. Steeveks.
* Throttgh the ttfets rf my chance;] Or firtitm* The mctning
IS, Begone p or I fiiall exert that royal fpirit which I had in my
profpcrity, in fpite of the imbccillity of my j>rcfcnt weak condi^
tioiu This taught the Oxford editor to alter it to mi/ehffwff,
Wahburtow,
We have had alr^dy in this play — " the wounded chance of
Antony-" Ma lone*
Or / /^aii po^ tht cinders cf myjliriit
Thrmgh the afhcs ffmy chance :] Thus Chancer in his CanUtiMty*
Tela, TyrwhiU*s edit, v, 5180:
•f tE Yj*! i^ our ^^ ^qJ^ ^ jjyg yrcken."
And thus (as the learned cdiEor has obfervai) Mr. Gray in hi*
Churcb^yard Elegy : ^
*' Even in our ej^fi live their wonted £res*"
Mr, Gray refers to the following paflage in the 169 fi7ij fonnet
ofPtirarch^ as his original :
" Ch*i 'ViggiQ nel ftcw^r^ d&kt mf& fico^
** Fttdda una lingua ^ t due hegti mchi chiufi
'* Rimmerdopa ttoi ficn di fanMiie/' Edit, J564* p» 271.
Again, in oar authour*s 754 Sonnet :
** In me thou fee 'ft the glowing of fuch lire,
*' That on the afhcs of his youth doth lie,*' Malone*
^
670 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Thou would •ft have mercy on mc.
Cms* Forbear, Seleucus,
[£jrj/ SiLEucus,
Cleo. Be it known, that we, thegreatef!^ arc
misthought
For things that others do ; and^ when we fall.
We anfwer others' merits in our name.
Are therefore to be pitied.^
Cjes. Gleopatra,
Not what you havereferv'd, nor what acknowledged.
Put we i* the roll of conqueft : ft ill be ic yours,
Beftow it at yourpleafurei and believe,
Caefar's no merchant, to make prize with you
Of things that merchants fold. Therefore be cheered i
Make not your thoughts your prifons:' no, dear
queen ;
" B^ it ktt&^Ht tkm ^^fp ihf great ffi^ nrr mhth&gii
J^er tbingi ib^i Gthm d^ \ amd^ n^hm ^W€ faih
We atifwfr ^tbert* merUi JJt mr ffamr^
Art Aert/hnr to be ptitd.J Wc luffcf »t Our hjghdl ftate of
elcvalioti in inC i hough tt cf mmikirtd fir ihai nvhith ethers ds I 4imd
nj^htH wf /fl//j thofc that contented tbemrdvcs only to ifiiitk ill
before, call us to anfwer m mr^^n numej fir the merit f ^orben^
fPe are fkerefim io Be pitied* Merits h in this place takca ia aa ili
♦fenfc, for afUom meriiing ccnfurc, JoHNSO^f-
The plain meaning is this, Thr grraUjf ^f mmre mfper/edf^
things nvkich ethers d^ ; and m^ben^ hj the declme ef mr /a^vr, *we
become im a e<mditim to be qmjiioned^ 'We ure (ailed iP m^fmtr tm oar
fiqtw fiames fir the esBiom of Piber ptupift
Merit h here uft^, as the wofd defers froqueody is, to expreb
a ccnain degree of merit or demerit* A man may merit puiuih-
ment as well as reward. M- Mason.
As demeriu was often ufcd in Shakfpcarc'ft time as (Vnonynious
to merits fo merit mi|ht have been nfed in the fcnfe whjch we now^
affix to demerit ; or tlic meaning may he only, we arc called to
account^ aod to anfwer in our own names for a&s, with wkidl.
others rather than we, dtfirve to be charged* Maloiie,
' Make mt jmr thought i jmr prifon* i] I oncc wiihed tO read,
M&he 9tot jour th&ughti jmr poifon i«n—
AIKDONY AND CLEOPATRA,- 671
For wc intend fo to difpofc you, as
Yourfclf (hall give us counfel. Feed, and flecp:
Our care aiid pity is fo much upon you.
That we remain your friend ; And fo adieu.
CtBO. My mafter, and my lord !
Cms. Notfo: Adieu*.
[^Exeunt C-ffiSAR, and bis train,
Cleo. He words me, girls, he words me, that I
fliould not
Be noble to xnyfelf : but hark thee, Charmian. -
[wbi/pers Charmxak*
Iras. ' Finifli, good lady ; the bright day is dont^
And we are for the dark.
Cleo. Hie thee again :
I bive fpoke already, and it is provided ;
Go, put it to the hafte. ^
. CuAit. Madam, I wilL
Reenter Dolabella.
DoL. Where is the queen ?
Char. Behold, fir. [^Exil Charmiak.
CxjBO; Dolabella ?
DoLt Madam, as thereto fworn by your £om«
mand.
Which my love makes religion to obey,
I tell you this : Caefar through Syria
Intends his journey ; and, within three days.
You with your children will he fend before 2
Donotdeftroy yourfclf by mufing on your misfortune Yet I
would change nothing, as the old readbg prefents a very proper
fenfe« Be not a frijomr in imagination % iJohcH in rm/ltjjnt are fnt.
JOHNSQXf*
672 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Make your bcft ufe of thi»: Thavc performed
Your plcafure, and my promife,
Cleo, DolabcHa,
I fhall remain your debton
DoL* I your fcrvant.
Adieu, good queen j I muft at^tend on C^lan
Cleo. Farewell^ and thanks. [£jr/VDoLA*] Now,
Iras, what think 'ft thou ?
Thou, an Egyptian puppet, fhalt be ffiown
In Rome, as well as I : mechanick flaves
With greafy aprons, rules, and hammers, fliall
Uplift us to the view ; in their thick breaths^
Rank of grofs diet, fhall we be cnclouded*
And forc'd to drink their vapour.
Iras. The gods forbid !
Cleq> Nay, 'tis moft certain, Iras : Saucy lidors
Will catch at us, like ftrumpets ; and fcald rhymers
Ballad us out o' tune;^ the quick comedians *
9 _,,— ffjtfjf fcald rhymers
Ballad ttt tmt o* nii»t :) So, in The Ra^ tf LmwuM z
•* thou —
" Shalt have thy trefpafs cited op in rfymst
" And fuft^ by children in fisccecdjng times/' Malqwi^
Scald w^% a word of contempt Implying povci^, difeafc, and
filth. JoHNSOH,
So, in The Merry Whm nfWmifir^ Evans calls the Hoil of the
Garter " finli^ fctirvy companion ;" and in King Hemt^ K Flu-
elkii bcftows the fame epithet on HftoL Ste eV£k$.
* /if quick €Qmcdiant — ] The ^y inventive players.
JOHNSOTT.
^kk means here, rather readj than^^jy. M. Ma«on*
The lively, inventive, p/Vl-witted comedians. So, •* {m me^t
fn^uc mimgam^**) in an ancient trad, entitled J kri^fi dtfitipii^ ef
ireland^ made in this j fare, 15S9, by Robert Payne, Ao. Svo^
IJB9: ** They zTt fuiik'n^uinea, and of good conftitution of ba^
die/' Seep, 424, n, 5 ; and Vo]« V, p. 218, n*6* M alone.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 673
Ex temporally will ftage us, and prefent
Our Alexandrian revels; Amony
Shall be brought drunken forth, and I ftiall fee
Some fqueaking Cleopatra boy my greatnefs*
V the pofture of a whore.
Iras. O the good gods !
Cleo* Nay> that is certain*
Iras, Vll never fee it j for, I am fure, my nails
Are ftronger than mine eyes.
Cleo, Why, that's the way
To fool their preparation^ and to conquer
Their moft abfurd intents*^ — Now, Charmian ?*—
Etiier Charmian,
Show me> my women^ like a queen ; — Go fetch ^^
My bcft attires ; — I am again for Cydnus,
1 ^^^^^ ^ej mj greatmfi — ] The para of women were afled on
the ftage by boys, H a n m eh,
Nafh> in Pkrce F€finyhfft lis Suppik&tkH^ dx- IJ^J* fays,
** Our players are not as the playen beyond iea, a fort of fquirt*
ing biwdy comediins, that have whores BnA common couftcfam
to play women's parts/' &c. To obviate the impropriety of men
fqjfcfenting women» T- GoC in his tragedy of The Ragittg Turk^
1 6 J i , has no female charaCier, S t e e v e ks.
4 Their moft abfurd mtems^l Why (hould Cleopatra call Cas-
lkr*s defigns ahfittif She could not think his intent of canying
her in triumph, fuch» with re^rd to his own gloiy: and her
finding an expedient to difappoint him, could not bring it under
that predicament* I much r^ither think the poet wrote.
Their maft aHiir'd i/tunii^^ ■
i. c. the purpofes^ which they make themfelves moft furc of ajc-
Gomp1i(hiDg. Th id b a i« d.
I have preferved the old reading. The dcfign certainly appeared
0^/}^r£/ enough to Cleopatrat both as {he thought it unreafonable ia
itfeifj and as {he knew it would faih Johnson.
Vol. XII. X x
i74 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
To meet Mark Antony: — Sirrah, Iras, go,*^ —
Now, noble Charmian, u eil dcfpatch indeed ;
And, when thou haft done this chare, 1*11 give thee
leave
To play till dooms-day. — Bring our crown andalL
Wherefore's this noife?
f £a// Iras* A nmje within.
Enier one of the Guard,
Guard* Here is a rural fellow^
That will not be dcny'd your highncfs' prefence ;
He brings you figs,
Cleo. Let him come in» How poor* an inftru-
ment {^Exii Guard.
May do a noble deed ! he brings me liberty.
My refolution's plac'd, and I have nothing
Of woman in mc : Now from head to foot
I am marble-conftant ; now the fleeting moon
No planet is of mine,^'
4 — Sirrah, /w/, ^^.] From hjcnec it appears that Sirr&ht an
ippdlauon geneirally addrefcd to males, was equally applicable to
females, SteevenIp
* ^ How pq^ &c*] Thys the fccond folio. The firft nonfetw
fie ally reads — IVhat poor &c# STEiviwSt
Nopimef is ofmine^ Alluding to the Egyptian devotioti pdd
to the moon under the name of liis* WARBtntToN.
I really believe that our poet was not at all acquainted with the
devotion thai the -^gj'ptians paid to this planet under the name of
Ifis ; but that Clcopatfa having faid, / %(rve nothmg of^ummaH in
met added, by way of ampliBcation, that (he had not f*um tB^
thanges of di/ptsjitim prcaliar /ci her fex^ aftd ^whieh J^meiimes ktippen
m f recent ij fft thojt pf ike moen i or that fht was not, like the fea»
governed by the moon* So, in Kmg Rkkard Ili : *' — I being
goverii'd by the watiy mmn^^* &c- Why ftiould ftie fay on this
occafion that (he no longci pade ufc of the fornii of worihip pe-
culiar to her country I
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 675
Re-enter Guard, with a Clown bringing a bajket.
Guard. This is the man.
Cleo. Avoid, and leave him. {Exit Guard*
Haft thou the pretty worm of Nilus' there.
That kills and pains not ?
CiofVN. Truly I have him : but I would not be
the party that fhould defire you to touch him, for
Fleeting is inconftant. So» in Greene's Metamorphofis^ iSini
** to (how the world (he was noc fating.** Sec Vol. A«
p. 511, n. 7. Step.vens.
Our author will himfelf fumiih us with a commodious interpre-
tation of this paflage. I am now ** whole as the marble, founded
as the rock/' and no longer changeable and flu^uating between
difierent purpofes, like the fleeting and inconftant moon»
** That monthly changes in her circled orb." Malonb.
' the pretty worm of Nilus — ] IVorm is the Tcatonick
word {ox ferpent\ we have the hlind-nuorm and flow^'worm (till in
our language, and the Norwegians call an enormous mooiler* ieea
fometimes m the northern ocean, i!t)it Jea-nuorm. Johnsow,
So, in The Dumb Knight^ ^^Zl'
** Thofe coals the Roman Portia did devonr*
** Are not burnt out, nor have th' Egyptian nuormt
" Yet loft their dings."
Again, in The Tragedy of Hoffman^ 1631 :
*• rU watch for fear
** Of venomous nuormsJ*
See Vol. X. p. 109, n.4. Stebvens.
In the Northern counties, the word fworm is ftill given to the
fer^nt fpecies in general. I have feen a Northumberland ballad,
entituled. The laidly Worm of Spindlefton Heugbes, i. e. The loath-
fome or foul ferpent of Spindlefton Craggs ; certain rocks fo called,
near Bamburgh Caftle.
Shakipeare ufes *worm again in the fiime fenfe. See the Second
part oi king Henry VI:
** The mortal ntmm might make the fleep eternal."
Perct.
Again, in the old verfion of The Nenv Teftament, A^ xxviiu
** Now when the barbarians fawe the nvorme hang on his hand." Sec.
ToLLlT.
X X 2
676 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
his biting is immortal ; thofe^ that do die of it^ do
feldom or never recover.
Cleo. Remember'ft thou any that have died on't?
Clown. Very many, men and women too. I
heard of one of them no longer than yefterday : a
very honeft woman, but fomething given to lie ; as
a woman (houldnot do, but in the way of honefty:
how Ihe died of the biting of it, what pain (he felt,
*-Truly, flic makes a very good report o* the worm :
But he that will believe all that they fay, fliall ne-
ver be faved by half that they do : • But this is moft
fallible, the worm's an odd worm.
Cleo. Get thee hence ; farewell.
Clown. I wifti you all joy of the worm.
Cleo. Farewell. [Clowny?/x down the bajket.
Clown. You muft think thb, look you, that the
worm will do his kind.^
Cleo. Ay, ay ; farewell.
Clown. Look you, the worm is not to be truft-
ed, but in the keeping of wife people; for, indeed,
there is no goodnefs in the worm.
^ But be that <wili believe all tbat tbej /aj, JbaU urver be Javed
by half tbat tbej do :] Shakfpeare's clowns are alwa)rs joken. and
deal in fly fatire. It is plain this muft be read the contrary way,
and all and balf change places. Warburton.
Probably Shakfpeare defigned that confuiion which the critick
woald difentangle. St e evens.
9 twill do bis kind.] The ferpent will aft according to his
nature. Johnson. *
So, in Hcywood's If you knonv not Me you know Nobody, 1633 :
" Good girls, they do tbeir kind.**
Again, in the ancient black letter romance oiSyrTtyamoure, no
date :
" He dyd full gcntylly bis kinde.** Steevens.
Again, in Tbe Trapkall Hyftory ofRomeus and Juliet, 1562 :
** For tickle Fortune dotb, in changing, but her kind.**
Malore.
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 677
Cl&o, Take thou no care ; ic Ihall be heeded,
CiQwn. Very good : give ic nothingi I pray you^
•for it is not worth the feeding,
Cleo. Will it cat me?
Cloivn^ You mull not think I am fo fimple, but
I know the devil himfelf will not eat a woman : I
know, that 1 woman is a difli for the gods, if the
devil drcfs her not. But, truly> thefe fame whorcfoa
devils do the gods great harm in their women; for
in every ten that they make^ the devils mar five.
CiEo. Well, get thee gone ; farewelL
Cloivn, Yes^ forfooth; I wifli you joy of the
worm. [Exit.
Re-enter Iras» with a roie, crown, &c.
CiEO^ Give me my robe, put on my crown; I
have
Immortal longings in me : ' Now no more
The juice of Egypt's grape ihall moift this lip : —
Yare^ yare/ good Iras; quick, — Mcthinks, I hear
Antony call ; I fee him roufe himfelf
To praifc my noble ad ; I hear him mock
The luck of Ca>far, which the gods give men
* Immortal longings itt me r] This cxprtflion appears to liai'e
been tranfpknted into Addifon's Cats :
** This /oNgmg after immQnalttj,** Stiiti hs.
^ Tartf, jare^^ u e, make haftc* be nimble, be jrady. So* in
the old bl. romance of Syr Egiammrt &f Art^jt :
" Ryght foone he made him yarfJ*
See alfo Vol, II L p, 5, n* 3. Steeveits*
A preceding parage precifely afcertains the meajuug of the
word :
'* — to proclaim It civilly, were like
** A halter'd neck, which docs the hangman thank
*' For hdngjare about him," Malo k e.
7
67« ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
To excufc their after wrath : Hulband^ I come :
Now to that name my courage prove my title!
I am fire, and air ; my other elements
I give to bafer life.* — So, — have you done?
Come then, and take the lall warmth of my lipi.
Farewell, kind Charm ian ; — Iras, long farewell.
[ Kijfes ibem , Iras fai/s and dies.
Have I the afpick in my lips ? ' Dofl fall ? ♦
If thou and narurc can fo gently parr.
The ftroke of death is as a lover's pinch,'
Which hurts, and is defir'd, Doft thou lie flill?
If thus thou vaniflieft, thou telPft the world
It is not worth leave-taking*
Char. DifToIvc, thick cloud, and rain; that I
may fay.
The gods themfelves do weep I
Cleo. This proves me bafe :
If (he firft meet the curled Antony,
He'll make demand of her;*' and fpcnd that kifs^
Which is my heaven to have. — Come, mortal
wretch,^
[/o the a/p, which Jbe applies tQ ber breafi^
^ I am fire, and air ; my lithtr thmtnh
I grve i$ hafir Z^,] So, in Kin^ Htnry Fl •* He b pirc air
and firt ; and the dull elements of earth a ad water never appear
in him," " Do not our lives, (%s Sir Andrew Aguechetk,}
coniift of the fmr dements ?" M alo k e.
^ Ha%!i / the afpkk in mj ii^s ^] Are my lips poifon'd by the
afpick^ that my kifs has dcftroycd thee? Maloke.
* - Dofi fiill?^ Iras muft be fuppofcd to have applied an afp
to her arm while her mi^refs was fettling her dtefs, or I know not
why (he ihould b\\ fo foon* STEiVENb,
* * a /s^i'/r'/ pinch,] So before* p, 455 :
*' That am with Fhcebus' ^m^rout ptrrchti black/* Stefvins*
* Hfli make dtmand &f her ;] He wiJI enquire of her concerning
mc, and kifs her for giving hi 10 intcUigcucc^ Johnson.
' Camt^ mortal m^reuh A O'd copies, iimnetrieally :
C^mt^ th 0 U mortal fwreuh^ — « STllVi,fi8«
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 679
With thy fharp teeth this knot intrinficate
Of life at once untie : poor venomous fool^
Be angry^ anddefpatch, O, could*ft thou fpeak!
That I might hear thee call great Caefar, afs
Unpolicied ! *
Char* O eaftern ftar !
Cleo. Peace, peace!
Do ft thou not fee my baby at my breaft.
That fucks the nurfe afleep? ^
Char. O, break ! O, break !
Cleo. As fweet as balm, as foft as air, as gentle, —
fO Antony ! — Nay, I will take thee too : —
\_Appljing another afp to her arm.
I What ftiould I ftay^ — \^FaUs on a bei^ and dies.
^afi
UnpoiidedlJ i.e. ^tL^t% 'withottt m&rt pattof i\)^n to leave the
means of death within my reach ^ and thereby depiiYC hi* triumph
of its noblcft decoration* Steevews.
y That fucks the mtrfi afittp?'] BcfofC the pubHcation of this
piece, The Tragedy ^fCh^patra^ by T>m\t[, J J94, had made iu
appearance ; buc Dryden is more indcbtal 10 it than Shakfpeare»
Danid has the following addrefs to the afp :
" Better than death death's office thou difchargeft,
•• That with one gentle toach can free our bitath ;
*' And in ft pleating flccp our foul ecklargefl,
" Makiog ourfeh'cs not privy to our death, —
•* Therefore come thou, o^ wonders wonder chiefs
*' That open canft wjib fuch an eafy key
" The door of life; come gcotk, cunning thief,
I •■ That from ourfelvcs fo fteal'iL ourfelves away,"
Drydcn fays on the fame occaliou :
" .-^—Welcome thou kind deceiver!
•* Thou beft of thieves i who with an eafy key
" Doft open life, and, unperceiv'd by as,
** Even fteal us from ourfelves : Difcharging fo
■* Death's dreadful olEce better than himfelf,
" Touching our limbs fo gently into il umber*
*■ Thai death ftands by, dcceiv'd by his own image ,
'' And thinks liimfclf but ikt^p,'' St£ev£KI.
680 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Char* In this wild world?* — So, fare thee
well.—
iJow boaft thee, death ! in thy poflcfliofi lies
A lafs un paralleled, — Downy windowsi clofe;*
And golden Phoebus never be beheld
Of eyes again fo royal ! Your crown's awry ; *
111 mend it, and then play.*
* In thh wild m^orld?^ Thaa the <M copy* I fappofc £hc inctii
by this it^i/i world, this world which by the death of Afltooy is
become a de/tn to her, A ^wiid is a dcrert. Our aof hofj however,
might have written nfiid [L e* *viU according to andenr fpelEng}
forworihkfs. Stievews,
* * — — i- Dom^tty <uriWcFTi//, th/c j] So, in F^ntis and A^brth :
" Her two blue nuinds^s faintly fhc uphcaveth/'
Mittosff.
Charmian, in faying thi«, mnft be conceived to clofe Cleopatfftli
eyes ; one of the firft ceremonies performed toward a dead body.
* - Tour tfowM's awry ;] This is well amended by tbe edi-
tors* The okj editions haa,
Toar ^f^Wft*i m w iy . J o H n e o pr *
So, in Darners l^rmtdy cf Cir^patm^ t 594:
*' And fenfelels, in her fioking down, ibe ^luryeg
** The diadem which on her Iiead ftic wore j
** Which Charmian (poor weak feeble maid) efpyeif
** And haftes to right it as it w.is before ;
•* For Eras now was desd," St ex v a ni.
The corrc^ion was made by Mr, Pope, The author bas hcie
asufual followed the old tranflation of Plutarch. *' ^Tbcy foand
Cleopaira ftarke dead laved upon a bed of gold, attired and arrayed
in her royal robes, and one of her two women, wbich was called
Iras, dead at her feece ; and her other woman called Charmiazi
balf dead, and tremblings trimming the diadem whidi Ckopacti
wore upon her head/' Ma lone.
* atrd thtn play*] i, e< play her part in thb tragpck ftcie
bydellroying hcrfclf: or Ihc may mcan^ that hating perlbrilked
her laft office for her miltrcfs, {he will accept the pcrmimon gtf«a
her in p. 674, to ** pUj till doomfday." STiEViif i»
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 68x
Enter the Guard, rujhing in.
I. GujiRD. Where is the queen?
Char. Speak foftly, wake her not.
I. Guard. Caefarhath fent —
Char. Too flow a mcffenger;
[Applies the afp.
O, come ; apace, defpatch : I partly feel thee,
1. Guard. Approach, ho! All's not well: Cae-
far's b^uii'd.
2. Guard. There's Dolabella fent from Caefar;
—call him.
1. Guard. What work is here? — Charmian, is
this well done ?
Char. It is well done, and fitting for a princeis
Defcended of fo many royal kings/
Ah, foldier ! [Dies.
Enter Dot ABELLA.
DoL. How goes it here ?
2. Guard. All dead.
DoL. Caefar, thy thoughts
Touch their efFefts in this : Thyfelf art coming
To fee performed the dreaded ad, which thou
So fought'ft to hinder.
fVirnis. A way there, way for Casiar !
^ Defctndeioffo mmty royal khp."] Almoft thcfc Ytrj words are
found in Sir T. North's tranflation of Plutarch ; and in Daniel's
plav on the fame fubie^ The former book is not uncomnooo,
and therefore it would be impertinent to crowd the pace with every
circumilance which Shakfpcare has borrowed from the tame origidaL
St^bvins.
Vol. XII. Y y
613 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA,
E^terCMSAKt and Aiiendanis*
Do L. O, iir, you arc too fure an augurcr i
That you did fear, is done.
Cms. Brav'ft at the lalh ^
Siie kvcU'd at oor purpofes, and, being royal, ^
Toak bcrownway- — The manner of their deathif
1 do iKic fee them bleed, '^
Dql* Who was laft with them?
r. GuAiiD. A fimple countryman, that brought
her figs ;
This was his batker.
Cms, Poifon*d then,
I. GujRD* O Caefar,
This Charmian liv'd but now; flie ftood, and
fpake:
I found her trimming up the diadem
On her dead miflrcfs ; tremblingly Ihe ftood.
And on the fuddcn dropped.
Cms, O noble weakncfs I—
If they had fwallow'd poifon, 'twould appear
By external fwelling : but fhe looks like flcep.
As fhe would catch another Antony
In her ftrong toil of grace*
DoL, Here, on her brcaft.
There is a vent of blood, and fomcthing blown : '
The like is on her arm.
' fsmethmg hhwrn] The flefh ufomewhat/jv^rior/it^.
Jouirtop;
So, in ihc ancient metrical romance ofSjr Bt^jt of HamptoOf
bU 1. no date :
** That with vcnim upon liirn thro wen,
*' The knight lay thtn io-himm«*'*
ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA. 683
I. Guard. This is atiafpick's trail: and thefe
fig-leaves
Have flime upon them, fuch as the afpick leaver
Upon the caves of Nile,
CjES. Mod probable.
That fo (he died ; for her phyfician tells me,
She hath purfu'd concluiions infinite*
Of eafy ways to die.^ — Take up her bed ;
And bear her wom^en from the monument:—-
She (hall be buried by her Antony :
No grave upon the earth (hall clip • in it
A pair fo famous. High events as thefe
Strike thofe that make them : and their (lory is
No lefs in pity, than his glory,' which
Again, in the romance of Syr Ifenbras^ bL I. no date ;
«' With adders all yoor bcftes ben flaioe.
** With venyme are they hlowe.'*
Again, in Ben Jonfon's Magnetick Lady :
'* What is hl^wn^ puft ? fpeak En^lifh,— r #
** Tainted an' pleafe you, fome do call it.
«* ^h^/iveilsTLndiio fwells^** &c. Steevbns.
8 She hath putfud conclMCions infinite ] To purfue conclujions^
is to try experiments* So, in Hamlet :
** like the femous ape,
** To try concfufions,*' &C«
Again, in Cymbeline :
" 1 did amplify my judgment in
«• Other conclufiom. Steevens.
9 Of eafy 'ways to die.'\ Such was the death brought on by the
afpick's venom. Thus Lncan, Lib. IX :
** At tibi Leve mifcr fixus praecordia preflit
** Niliaca ferpente cruor ; nulloque dolore
" Tcftatus morfus fubita caligine mortem
** Accipis, & Stygias fomno defcendb ad umbras."
Steevens*
* JhallcXv^ — ] i.e, enfold. Seep. 608, n.4. Ste evens,
^ — their fiory is
No lefs in pity y than his glory ^ &c.] i. e. the narrative of fuch
events demands not lefs compaffion for the fufierers, than glory on
the part of him who brought on their fufferings, St eb vb ns,
7
684 ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA.
Brought them to be lamented. Our amiy Ihall,
In folemn fhow, attend this funeral ;
And then to Rome*- — Come, Dolabella, fee
High order in this great folemnity, lEximmi^^
4 ThU play keeps curiofity ilwatf s bafy, and the pafliani ahmuft
inlercflai. The continual htiriy of ibcaftionp the variety of in*
cidcnts^ and the quick fuccdlion of one perfonagc to another, call
tlic mind forward wkhout inrermifllon from the (idk a6V to tbelilL
But the power of ddighiing h derived principany from the ffcqiwai
changes of the fcene; for» except the feminine am » fomeof wtiicli
are too low^ wbich diftingujfh Cleopatra, no chara&r ii intf
ftronglf difcrimmatcd. Upton » who did not eafily mifs w!mt tm
defiitd to lind, has difcovered that the languagr of Antony h^
with great Ikitl and learning, made poinpoQ£ and fuperbt Bceosdim
to bis real practice. But I think hb di^ion not dlAingniJIdUe
from that of others : the moik tumid fpecch in the play is duf
which Cs:far makes to Oftavia.
The cvenii, of which the principal are deferibed acGordm ta
hiflor)^ are produced without aBy 2rt of comiesclon or can: oldSA
portion. John ION,
THE END OF THE TWELFTH VOLUME.
U>(
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